In late December, the Trump Administration deployed over 2,400 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and ICE workers to Minnesota, more specifically Minneapolis. The sole purpose of this initiative is to crack down on illegal immigrants in the country. The placement of these federal personnel in Minnesota has caused complete chaos for the state. Violent outbursts, racism, protests, and even death have taken place at the hands of DHS and ICE. While coverage on this topic by mainstream media seems to be less informative, citizen journalism on social media platforms is buzzing about what’s really taking place in Minneapolis.
School Closures
The story of Liam Ramos, a five-year-old boy who was detained by ICE, has gone viral over the last week. Ramos is not the only child who has experienced this in Minneapolis. They are targeting children of all ages. ICE personnel are showing up at the elementary, middle, and high schools to detain these kids. This has caused widespread paranoia across the state. The children are traumatized and the parents are afraid to send their kids to school. This has caused the districts to switch over to remote learning. This virtual option will be available until February 12.
A Second uS Citizen Died
It has been confirmed that a second US citizen was shot dead by immigration agents in Minneapolis. On January 12, Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent. President Trump and his team have tried to spin this incident in favor of ICE saying that Good is a “domestic terrorist” who tried to run over the agent. On the other hand, witnesses say she was trying to leave the scene and escape the chaos going on at the moment. Yet another life has been lost. Alex Jeffery Pretti was killed on January 24. Pretti was shot by ICE agents during a protest early Saturday morning. DHS claims that the official shot in a ct of self-defense. They also claim that Pretti was violently resisting. Other onlookers claim otherwise. “He was just trying to help some woman that had been shoved, and literally they just tackled him and started pepper-spraying him and didn’t even give him a chance or anything,” Ellen Moodie told NBC News last night. (nbcnews.com) How many more American citizens have to endure this violence before change comes?
It is Imperative that we continue to watch the news and pay attention to what’s happening in Minnesota. Let’s continue to have everyone affected in our thoughts and continue to speak out against these injustices. Change can’t begin unless we do.