A planned visit by Vice President JD Vance to a new data center under construction near Harwood, North Dakota, prompted an impromptu protest on January 12, 2024. Activists quickly mobilized after learning of Vance’s expected appearance at the Applied Digital site, gathering at a nearby gravel road intersection.
Approximately 20 demonstrators participated in the protest, chanting slogans such as “JD Vance has got to go” while holding signs denouncing fascism. However, the anticipated visitor was not Vance, but rather Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Mayor Blake Hankey confirmed the mix-up, noting that Chavez-DeRemer is currently visiting all 50 states as part of the America At Work Tour. She had announced her plans on her social media account just a day prior.
Despite the confusion regarding the visitor’s identity, protest organizer Lyn Dockter-Pinnick emphasized that the demonstration aimed to highlight broader issues. Protesters voiced their opposition to detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. military actions in Venezuela, and other policies from the previous administration. Dockter-Pinnick stated, “No good comes from that kind of occupation. No good comes from using a military force against civilians in a peaceful time.”
The protest occurred in the wake of a tragic incident in Minneapolis, where Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer while sitting in her vehicle. This incident, coupled with reports of ICE detaining individuals in the Twin Cities, has heightened tensions in the community. According to Michael Southam, co-founder of FM Volunteers for Ukraine, many of those detained include Ukrainians with pending asylum cases or who qualify for temporary protected status (TPS), which should shield them from deportation.
Southam noted the pervasive fear among community members, stating, “Some people are scared to leave their homes. Others are really afraid that ICE will break into their homes or into their apartments.” He highlighted the anxiety stemming from recent events, which have left many feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
Dockter-Pinnick further addressed concerns surrounding the portrayal of immigrants in the current political climate, arguing against the narrative that labels them as threats. She asserted, “Many of those who’ve been detained across the country are legal immigrants, not ‘rabid criminals that Donald Trump is saying that he’s purifying the country of.’” She drew parallels to tactics used during WWII, reflecting on how her father fought against such rhetoric.
The protest highlighted ongoing issues related to immigration policy and community safety, drawing attention to the human impact of these policies. As the America At Work Tour progresses, it remains to be seen how these concerns will influence public discourse and policy decisions at the federal level.
