As we find ourselves almost all of the way through January, a typically bleak time has been made infinitely darker by the killing and kidnapping of innocent American citizens and civilians by federal officers. For those who are unaware of what has been going on, President Trump has been escalating the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in cities across the nation for the past several months. There have been protests in many cities across the United States as these agents become active in trying to remove undocumented immigrants, often taking American citizens who are completely legally residing in the U.S. Most recently, several situations in Minneapolis have devastated not just the residents there, but the country as a whole.Â
Earlier this month, a 37-year-old American woman named Renee Macklin Good was shot and killed by ICE officers through the window and windshield of her car as she backed away from the agents. President Trump defended the shooting, saying that the ICE agents acted on the basis of self-defense, whereas eye-witnesses, supported by Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, vehemently denied any need for self-defense by the agents, demanding that ICE leave the city of Minneapolis.Â
Not long after this, a young 5-year old boy from a Minneapolis suburb was detained with his father on their way home from preschool. The superintendent of the public schools in that area accused the ICE agents of using the child as bait, and several other children have been detained in that same district over the past few weeks. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security argued that the child was abandoned and agents were protecting him from the cold; however, this claim has been denied by school officials and the family.Â
Finally, most recently, on January 24th, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse for American veterans, was shot and killed by ICE agents. While trying to protect a woman who had been pushed to the ground, Pretti was pepper-sprayed and wrestled to the ground by six ICE officers before being shot ten times and killed. This incredibly brutal and violent killing was once again defended by the Trump Administration, which claimed that Pretti was carrying a weapon and wanted to massacre law enforcement. Almost all major news sources have denied these claims via video evidence and witness statements. Â
The numerous incidents in Minneapolis alone, not to mention the countless other examples of ICE agents exhibiting violence and taking rightful citizens from their homes, have led to widespread protests across the country. Thousands of people have been protesting for the past several weeks, but especially during this time. Despite freezing temperatures, crowds surged across Minneapolis and cities all across the U.S.Â
It is incredibly easy to feel helpless during this time, especially if protests aren’t happening around you. That being said, there are still actions that you can take to make a difference. First, email your elected representatives. Senators, House Representatives, and local officials all have a say in standing up to ICE agents and protecting citizens’ rights to protest. As citizens, it is our duty to communicate to the officials we elect when something is not right, and now is one of those times. There are many websites online that can help you find their contact information and templates to draft a message. These messages help officials choose what to act on for future policymaking, so every email matters. On that note, each of us has rights as Americans, and it is important to ensure that everyone knows the extent of their protection. Many organizations that exist to help immigrants emphasize the importance of spreading knowledge about our rights. There are many “Know Your Rights” resources online, so sharing these with anyone you know who is at risk and on your social media can be another great step towards helping protect people from these attacks. Finally, don’t be afraid to talk. As clichĂ© as the slogan for the Washington Post may be, the idea that “Democracy dies in darkness” is true, especially now. Speak with your family, friends, and peers about the situation — it will not only help spread information, but help us all feel more emotionally connected throughout this dark time. Isolation and confusion only fuel this toxic fire, so the more that we can do to express our frustrations and sadness, the more our community can uplift and support each other, and the country beyond our bubble.