Statement against fascism and political repression

June 16th, 2026

Neighbors, please be aware and on alert: Federal agents have been across the city and have arrested several community members this morning. You can read more about your rights when engaging with federal agents here. 

This is an act of political repression meant to intimidate and terrorize the same people who have been caring for our neighbors and keeping our communities safe from violent immigration agents. We condemn these attacks on our neighbors and call on elected officials at every level to do the same. We also call for all charges against observers and political organizers to be dropped immediately, and for all of our neighbors who have been kidnapped by ICE and the federal government to be returned.

As socialists, we are speaking out against political repression and state-sanctioned violence. The charges being brought against our neighbors who defended the community are an attack on everything Minneapolis stands for. The Trump administration is affronting democracy and using the state to punish those who defended our neighbors against their violent and illegal actions. 

Trump sent masked secret police to terrorize our community and occupy our city. They were forced out by the overwhelming resistance of neighbors who stared down guns and chemical weapons with nothing but whistles and phones in their hands. Families were torn apart, and our neighbors, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were gunned down in the street for daring to stand in solidarity, and still Minneapolis refused to back down.

Across the world, Minneapolis residents are seen as heroes for the ways we resisted fascism and took care of our neighbors. Our collective bravery and solidarity exposed the true costs of the Trump administration’s fascist playbook. Now, with the tide of public opinion working against Trump, they are turning to legal retaliation to deflect from their massive failure to improve quality of life for working class people. The retaliatory tactics this administration is using today are frightening– but they are a sign of weakness. 

In Minneapolis we are proud that everyday people on the ground took action to stand with our immigrant neighbors. Observation of law enforcement is not a crime. Protecting our neighbors against unconstitutional violence is not a crime. Standing up for and loving our neighbors is not a crime. 

To everyone who has observed, responded to, and organized around ICE and federal agents’ illegal and violent actions: know that we are with you and in this struggle together. We did not stand for the occupation and we will not stand for this. Fascism lost to the people of Minneapolis in the streets, and it will lose to the people in the courts. 

Sincerely, 

Council Minority Leader Robin Wonsley, Ward 2

Council Member Soren Stevenson, Ward 8

Council Member Jason Chavez, Ward 9

Council Member Aisha Chughtai, Ward 10

Council Members Stevenson, Chughtai, Chowdhury, Wonsley and Chavez with community outside the federal courthouse during the charging.

 

A poster from the American Civil Liberties Union with information about what to do if you’re stopped by police, immigration agents or the FBI.