We’ve all seen what’s going on in Minneapolis, like the January 6th attack on the Capital we witnessed it on television. And as Groucho Marx said, “Who you gonna believe, me, or your own eyes?” The “me,” being the likes of vice president J. D. Vance, who quickly, without evidence, blamed Renee Good and the protestors for her killing and the violence
Regardless of how muddied the circumstances might be, it should be clear to the most casual observer that ICE overreacted. The placing of armed paramilitary, fitted out with full battle kit as in Afghanistan, into peaceful civilian neighborhoods was a prescription for disaster, one aimed at confrontation, not conciliatory cooperation. In the minds of Minnesotans, Darth Vader threatens Minneapolis. Despite agitation by protestors, the reaction of ICE has been inflammatory. Angry protestors do not warrant the killing, maiming, and harassing of citizens, illegally entering homes in violation of the 4th amendment, or false arrests and detention of innocent citizens. Such actions are counter-productive and, predictably, have led to resistance and violence.
Maligned people across the country should show solidarity with those in Minneapolis by adopting similar tactics to push back and resist unconstitutional abuse and the strong-arm behavior of ICE agents. If the government really wants to cool things down, it should stop flooding the city with troops bent on subduing the population. Above all, they should take off the masks, wear badges and regular uniforms, ditch the lethal weaponry, and show respect for the public while carrying out their duties. In short, doing so would lead to less opposition and more cooperation by the local populace. Seeing heavily armed and “armored” ICE agents chasing ordinary citizens in civilian neighborhoods would be comical if it were not so serious.
Minnesotans have shown real courage. Their push back just might be the tipping point which helps us regain our sanity as a nation. All of us should give serious thought to adopting the Minnesota model in face of rapacious federal power.
RESIST!