Several hundred community members gathered at Nymore Park in Bemidji, Minnesota, on January 25, 2024, to protest against the actions of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Twin Cities. The demonstration occurred in frigid temperatures, reaching -7 degrees Celsius with a wind chill of -15 degrees, but this did not deter participants from expressing their solidarity with those affected by immigration enforcement.
The event was organized by a small group of local residents who have become increasingly concerned about the heightened presence of ICE in Minnesota. Attendees formed letters to spell out phrases such as “ICE out of MN,” “Bemidji says ‘No’ to ICE,” and “Love people, not ICE” for a drone capturing aerial footage of the gathering. One of the organizers noted that the idea for the event came together quickly after a connection was made with a drone pilot willing to assist.
“It’s just really devastating and horrifying to see this kind of thing happening in our communities throughout this state,” said the drone operator. “We can’t have that in our state, in our country, and we want ICE out.”
As participants shifted to form new phrases, they chanted the names of two individuals, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were recently reported killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. The protests served not only as a demonstration against ICE but also as a memorial for those who have lost their lives amid escalating tensions.
The anonymous event organizer expressed gratitude for the strong turnout, highlighting the significance of such a large gathering in a small town. “This is a huge number of people for a small town and it shows a lot of heart and a lot of courage,” the organizer remarked. “Thank you so much for coming. Thank you!”
Protesters carried signs with messages like “Be the salt, love melts ICE,” “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and “ICE out now.” One participant, who chose to remain unnamed for safety reasons, articulated the urgency of the situation. “I came out to be a body amongst many to show that this uptick in fascism that’s happening in our state is not acceptable to the people anymore,” she stated.
The attendee, a native of Minneapolis, shared her dual motivations for participating: a connection to her new home in Bemidji and concern for friends and family still living in the Twin Cities. “Even though my friends and family are safe physically at the moment, there’s so much mental devastation that’s happening to people,” she explained. “This is creating trauma for a whole new generation of not just Minnesotans, but Americans as a whole.”
Organizers were encouraged by the community response, which relied heavily on word of mouth. “Our civil rights and our human rights are being violated on the regular,” stated another organizer. “We all deserve those, no matter our status, or our color, or our age or our race. 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 in Bemidji underscores a growing movement across the state, as more residents mobilize against the actions of federal immigration authorities. As the event concluded, participants left with a shared sense of purpose and determination to continue advocating for their beliefs.
