I Spy on the Trails - January 2026

I am taking a break from my monthly nature phenology posts to act as observer and witness to what has been happening in Minnesota.

During this frigid and snowy month, I have had time to observe my state -and this country - in a whole different way. The close phenological observations I keep of the natural world turned instead towards what has been going on with the ICE/border patrol surge northwest of me in the Twin Cities. 

What my eyes have seen has been horrific - and strengthening at the same time.

The horror:

• Unbelievable cruelty by federal agents in tracking and detaining people of color, many of whom are US citizens - and all of whom deserve due process rights and human dignity while being detained.

• The disappearing of children and parents without due process.

• The indiscriminate violence of federal agents towards those peacefully bearing witness, filming and protecting their neighbors.

• Cars of detained people with windows busted out left abandoned by federal agents on the street after seizing their owners.

• The federal mission creep away from apprehending and deporting the "worst of the worst," to grabbing people off the street, again most often based on skin color, accent and dress.

• The indiscriminate killing of witnessing community members who are near federal agent "gangs". The federal administration tell us not to believe our eyes as they smear and demonize these victims.  My friends, we are all Renee. We are all Alex. And we are all of the human beings who have lost their lives in federal immigration custody or on the streets so far in 2026: Keith Porter, Parady La, Heber Sanchaz Dominguez, Victor Manuael Diaz, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, and Reynaldo Lunas Campos

• The lying and gaslighting of the the administration and its spokespeople demonizing Minnesotans and immigrants.

January 23, 2026 General Strike March, MN
David Guttenfelder, New York Times, Redux

The strength:

• The general strikes that are being called and tens of thousands of people coming out in frigid temperatures in solidarity.

• The rising up of neighbors to witness and protect their immigrant neighbors.

• The community banding together to help escort neighbors to schools and daycares.

• The generosity of the community and churches in providing food and support to immigrant families who are living in fear.

• The many donations being gathered by small businesses and  given by individuals around the country in support of the above.

• The whistlers, honkers and filmers who let us see with our own eyes what is really going on. 

• Neighborhood networks tracking ICE in real time.

• People from around the country and in many different capacities gathering in public to support the Twin Cities community and calling their Congressional representatives to speak firmly against the lawless behavior of federal agents.

• Chris Madel, running as a Republican in MN gubernatorial race, ended his campaign and citing his strong disagreement with the methods being used in Operation Metro Surge.

• People thinking - really thinking  - about what the first, second, fourth and tenth amendments mean in a time when their communities are being overrun by gangs that resemble slave patrols and not trained federal agents. 

Minnesota author Douglas Wood puts it succinctly when he asks if we will believe our eyes or lies. I keep hearing and thinking of the quote from George Orwell's book 1984: "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It is their final, most essential command."

Let's all believe our eyes and keep resisting efforts to dehumanize us and look for ways to create kindness, community and solidarity in resistance to this madness. Our close watch will help to keep democracy strong. Now is the time to stand up before it is too late.

Marge

If you are looking for ways to provide support to the community efforts to deal with the overwhelming incursion of federal agents terrorizing communities, the Stand With Minnesota website has an excellent directory.