Clergy in ‘Abolish ICE’ Shirts Organize a National Resistance Network at Training Camp in Minneapolis

Clergy Unite Against ICE

Religious leaders with left-leaning views are looking to extend Minnesota’s initiatives against ICE to congregations nationwide.

In Minneapolis, over 600 individuals from various faiths came together for what was essentially a resistance training conference. During the event, which took place on Thursday and Friday, participants—donning “Abolish ICE” T-shirts, colorful stoles, and yarmulkes—shared strategies to counter federal immigration enforcement amidst songs and prayers.

The Rev. Elizabeth Hallam Shuba, a Unitarian Universalist from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was among the clergy who marched through Minneapolis. She expressed, “It’s clear there will be many chances for ICE to appear in our communities soon.” She went on to say that one of her motivations for attending was the essential training to share with her community.

Pastor David Wheeler, senior pastor of New Covenant Church of Christ, mentioned he plans to return to Oklahoma with a strong resolve to establish connections and systems to safeguard neighbors from what he describes as “ICE’s lawless and violent oppression.”

The conference coincided with a “no work, no school, no shopping” event on Friday, which was partly organized by interfaith leaders. Reports indicated that thousands took part, leading to more than 700 businesses closing their doors and cultural institutions, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art, being affected. The Minneapolis City Council voiced support for the strike.

On that same day, approximately 100 clergy were arrested at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for exceeding protest boundaries meant to prevent disruption to airline operations. They were charged with trespassing and failing to follow security instructions before being released.

Live footage showed some protesters retreating to the sidewalk, continuing their singing, while others knelt outdoors, waiting in freezing temperatures for their turn to be arrested.

The Rev. Marcy Scott Weiss from Seattle spoke of seeing ministers ready to face arrest, kneeling in the cold alongside their neighbors.

Aside from protests, several churches have initiated mutual aid networks, providing food and educational materials to families shielding themselves from ICE. Some are also offering training programs for chaplaincy that encompass services like interpreting and childcare, a practice that began after the George Floyd protests.

On a more provocative note, Bishop Sean Lowe of the Episcopal Church has drawn parallels between current anti-ICE protesters and John the Baptist, while likening the Trump administration to the “deadly power” responsible for the deaths of both John and Jesus.

In a video statement, the Rt. Bishop of Washington, Rev. Marian Edgar Budde, discussed the challenges immigrants face under a looming “policy of fear,” which has garnered considerable attention online. She inaccurately suggested that ICE used a child as “bait” during an apprehension incident, whereas the child’s father had actually left him behind while escaping agents.