On January 25, 2024, several hundred community members gathered at Nymore Park in Bemidji, Minnesota, to voice their opposition to the activities of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the state. Despite frigid temperatures reaching -7 degrees Celsius, with windchill making it feel like -15, participants came together to form messages visible from a drone overhead.
The demonstration, organized by a small group of local residents, included formations that spelled out phrases such as “ICE out of MN,” “Bemidji says ‘No’ to ICE,” and “Love people, not ICE.” The initiative was inspired by increasing tensions surrounding ICE’s presence in the Twin Cities, particularly following recent incidents involving federal agents. A drone operator, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed the urgency of the situation: “It’s devastating and horrifying to see this kind of thing happening in our communities throughout this state.”
Chants and Solidarity Amidst the Cold
As attendees stood in formation, they chanted the slogans along with the names of two individuals, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were recently killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. The event’s organizer, who also requested anonymity due to safety concerns, thanked the crowd for their courage and commitment. “This is a huge number of people for a small town, and it shows a lot of heart and care to get out here and say what you want to say about what’s happening in our state,” he noted.
Protesters displayed signs containing messages such as “Be the salt, love melts ICE,” “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and “ICE out now.” One demonstrator, who also chose not to share her name for safety reasons, emphasized the importance of the protest. “I came out to be a body amongst many, to show that this uptick in fascism happening in our state is not acceptable,” she stated, adding that her dual connection to both Minneapolis and Bemidji motivated her participation.
Community Response and Ongoing Concerns
The demonstrators expressed deep concern for the mental state of relatives and friends still living in the Twin Cities. “Even though my friends and family are safe physically at the moment, there’s so much mental devastation happening to people,” she explained. “This is creating trauma for a whole new generation of not just Minnesotans, but Americans as a whole.”
Organizers celebrated the turnout, which was primarily promoted through word of mouth. They emphasized the importance of standing up for civil and human rights. “Our civil rights and our human rights are being violated on the regular, and all of us deserve those, no matter our status, color, age, or race,” one of the organizers stated. “To see this many people come out on such a cold day shows it’s really important to everyone here to speak out.”
The gathering lasted about an hour, but the sentiments expressed echoed a growing movement within Minnesota and beyond, reflecting the community’s resolve to stand against what they view as unjust practices by federal immigration authorities.