Today in Focus Minneapolis citizens on protecting their neighbours from ICE
7 snips
Jan 30, 2026 
Patti O'Keefe, a Minneapolis legal and raid observer who documents ICE activity and was once detained. Wintana Melkin, director at Groundwork Action who builds grassroots rapid-response and aftercare networks. They discuss ICE deployments, how daily life changed, grassroots mobilization from George Floyd protests, rapid-response tactics and community solidarity to protect neighbors.
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City Life Transformed By ICE Presence
- Minneapolis residents describe living under daily fear as ICE agents patrol visibly and covertly across neighborhoods.
- The deployment has changed routines, schooling and community openness almost overnight.
Teacher's Account Of Constant Fear
- A Minneapolis teacher says she now carries a whistle and vest and sees ICE in tactical gear or plain clothes everywhere.
- She and neighbors run when horns or whistles sound, fearing abductions and unknown weapons.
Community Organiser's Rapid Network
- Jenny recounts seeing her father taken by ICE as a child and now runs a Facebook group that grew to 16,000 people.
- The group coordinates donations, rides and helps scared families secure documents and basic needs.