A startling revelation has emerged from Minneapolis, alleging a deep entanglement between elected officials and organized resistance to federal immigration enforcement. Marcia Howard, president of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, openly discussed the involvement of prominent figures in efforts to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Howard described a network actively monitoring ICE activity – tracking vehicles, sharing information through encrypted Signal chats, and conducting neighborhood patrols. She vehemently rejected any notion of shame surrounding these actions, suggesting that reporting such activities to authorities would result in community ostracism.
The scope of this resistance, according to Howard, extends far beyond activist circles. She claims participation from a diverse cross-section of the community, including local leaders affectionately known as “nanas,” youth sports coaches, and parents.
Perhaps most significantly, Howard asserts that elected officials are not merely aware of these efforts, but are actively participating alongside citizens in the very same Signal chat groups. This suggests a coordinated effort to impede ICE’s ability to carry out its duties within the city.
Teachers, Howard revealed, are also playing a role, utilizing whistles and mobile phones to monitor student safety and document interactions with federal agents. She paints a picture of escalating tensions, alleging deliberate provocation and “brutality” by ICE agents.
Howard’s accusations against the federal agents are particularly pointed, characterizing them as “hapless, untrained, and overly-militarized.” She further alleges that agents intentionally patronized businesses employing undocumented workers, seemingly to create opportunities for interaction.
The rhetoric employed by Howard is intensely charged, framing ICE’s actions as a “declaration of war” against Minneapolis and comparing the agency to historical oppressors like slave catchers and the Ku Klux Klan. This inflammatory language underscores the depth of animosity towards federal immigration enforcement within the city.
Howard’s history adds another layer to the story. Known for her prominent role during the 2020 unrest following the death of George Floyd, she has been described as a “steward” of the memorial area at the site of his killing, holding daily meetings with local activists.
This account raises serious questions about the boundaries between local activism, political leadership, and the enforcement of federal law, painting a picture of a city actively challenging the authority of the United States government on immigration matters.
