The city of Minneapolis released a video on Friday that promotes peaceful protests and calls for unity amid rising tensions between protesters and immigration officials in the Twin Cities. The video, which is about 84 seconds long, starts with a sign welcoming Somali neighbors. Throughout, it displays various slogans against ICE, such as “Abolish” and “Keep ICE out of neighborhoods.”
“Those who spread fear want attention,” a voiceover in the video explains. It encourages viewers not to give in to these fears but to focus on supporting local businesses and engaging in peaceful protests. The message is to avoid hate and look out for one another.
The video includes interviews with community members, including faith leaders, and features Mayor Jacob Frey speaking at recent Democratic immigration hearings.
The video’s description acknowledges the widespread feelings of fear and anxiety among residents and emphasizes the importance of responding with peace and unity—values that are said to define Minneapolis.
This all comes after significant unrest began on January 7, following the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, who claimed she obstructed an immigration check and drove at them. This incident sparked protests where demonstrators harassed federal agents, even throwing objects and shouting obscenities.
In response to the growing protests, President Trump’s administration is now preparing to deploy around 1,500 troops to Minnesota, specifically the 11th Airborne Division, which specializes in cold-weather operations.
Minneapolis and St. Paul have also mobilized roughly 3,000 federal workers to address a recent overwhelming fraud scandal in the state.
