By Alliance for Sustainability President Terry Gips
Trump’s Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota sought to teach us a lesson, while stoking fear and sending a stark warning to the rest of the country. But as our own federal government is generating storm clouds growing darker and darker – even forming a dangerous wall cloud dropping the first tornado engulfing Minnesota, with plans for many more – something beautiful and profound is happening.
The Silver Lining in the Trump Storm – Minnesota Strong
Minnesotans of all ages and backgrounds are banding together to take on the tornado. We’re becoming the silver lining in the face of the seeming hopelessness and overwhelm of the threatening storm clouds. We’ve become the light, the unintended consequence of Trump’s actions, uniting us as never before.
We, everyday Minnesotans – citizens and immigrants, people of all colors, ages and backgrounds, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians and common-sense Republicans, organized labor, business, educators, healthcare professionals, and social justice, enviro and pro-democracy groups — plus government leaders, law enforcement and artists, are rising up and creating a surprising silver lining that is lighting up our nation.
Could the federal government’s murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, immediately followed by the lies of Noem, Trump and Vance, be igniting an even larger counter-energy field that’s waking up America to all that’s been taken from us in the past year? Even Joe Rogan is calling Trump into question.
The Power of Tornadoes and Floods: A Metaphor for Our Movement?
I recently had the privilege of taking my 14-year old son to hear and meet famous storm chaser and meteorologist Reid Timmer, who took us on a wild ride into one massive tornado after another. We witnessed cows and couches flying through the air.
But what struck me most was Timmer’s video standing in a quiet, dry creek bed. He calmly said in 30 seconds there would be a huge debris field of trees and dwellings sweeping down from a massive storm 20 miles away in the mountains destroying everything in its path. He climbed up the embankment to witness.
And so it came. The debris field was beyond belief, bigger than a massive protest of people crowded shoulder-to-shoulder, an unstoppable force stronger than an entire freight train made up only of engines. It carried whole trees and buildings, extending for blocks, overflowing its banks and scraping out everything in its unyielding path.
And only then came the torrent of unending water, the true source of the power. Who could have imagined that such a quiet, dry creek bed could so quickly become the site of such roaring, complete devastation?
Could this be that moment, the silver lining to the horrific storms we’re experiencing? The Administration’s continual cascade of lies, murders and dastardly attacks on people, democracy and our planet may be causing unintended consequences.
We’re experiencing an intentional, flood-the-field, everything, everywhere, all at once storm. Its denial of fundamental rights and our Constitution may be forcing normally disparate, too-busy people to awaken to the threat.
Could the severity of the tornado Trump and his sycophants are unleashing be just what we need to force us to overcome our differences and join together as a mighty river of humanity, even a tidal wave? Will it sweep away all the degenerate flotsam, even a wannabe dictator?
Can we make America great again and heal the breaches?
Voices for Change: Bob Dylan’s Warning to the Regime
Perhaps Trump and his regime should listen to Minnesota native Bob Dylan as he sang at FarmAid:
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
And you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
Dylan’s anthem from long ago has been joined by new voices, creating a chorus of creative dissent. Bruce Springsteen’s The Streets of Minneapolis and hundreds of homegrown singers and songwriters — like Larry Long and Barbara McAfee – are uplifting our spirits and souls. People are being inspired to step out of their normal lives and create enlivening, joyful drum and song circles. The pounding drums on Minneapolis downtown street corners echo off the buildings in a wall of dissent.
A Rising Tide of Action, from Strikes and Sleds to a Football Field-Sized SOS (Support our State)
Yes, the tide is rising, leading to the incredible ICE OUT strike – no work, no school, no shopping – accompanied by the massive march by up to 50,000 in the sub-zero cold and Target Center rally. That in turn is inspiring the national ICE OUT strike.
We’re aiding those who fear leaving their homes by walking their children to and from school and generously shopping and buying them groceries. Others are patrolling the streets, looking for ICE actions and then alerting the neighborhood to come out with their whistles and phones to record.
Even amidst sub-zero temperatures, Minnesotans have built inventive sleds with ICE OUT messages that they ride down hills to the hoots, hollers and delight of the gathered crowds. Our candles and bodies formed a football field-sized human SOS (Support Our State) in the middle of frozen Lake Bde Maka Ska. Perhaps most moving is the large turnout of Native Americans standing in solidarity and singing prayers for peace and justice on the very land that was stolen from them.
Alex Pretti’s fellow nurses and doctors are speaking out and hanging their stethoscopes at the Pretti Memorial and at the entrance to the VA hospital where he worked. Diverse clergy from Minnesota and across the country came to protest at MSP airport, with many choosing to get arrested.
At long last, 60 of Minnesota’s major corporations broke their silence by signing a MN Chamber of Commerce statement calling for “de-escalation.” Other businesses – both in Minnesota and across the nation — signed a more powerful statement and are pledging to take action with the Social Venture Network and American Sustainable Business Network.
Strong Stands by Minnesota Elected Officials and Reporting by News Media
And throughout, we’ve been buoyed by the unwavering support and speaking out for ICE OUT NOW by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara, MN Governor Tim Walz and Attorney Keith Ellison, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and so many other public officials.
Meanwhile, Minnesota social and mainstream media like MPR and national media, especially CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Sarah Seidner, have called out the government’s lies while reporting from the streets and holding a CNN Town Hall Forum.
The Rising Tide Created by Renee Good, Alex Pretti and George Floyd
While there are many headwaters with tributaries feeding into this growing wall of water – from Dr. Martin Luther King and women’s rights to Stonewall and Rachel Carson — history may show its most immediate source was the murder of George Floyd five years ago, and now, the cruel, out-of-control attacks on immigrants and murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
The tragic, completely avoidable loss of their lives has so deeply touched “the chosen frozen” here, plus caring people across the nation and world. We’re fed up and aren’t going to take it anymore. The administration has inadvertently united the force-field they sought to dominate. Minnesota Strong rises, igniting US Strong.
Cracks in the Trump Regime as Their Polls Plummet
Some of Trump’s aides have begun to look on in disgust at their administration’s horrific actions and lies, opening cracks in their positions. It’s even forced White House immigration mastermind Steven Miller to distance himself from what he created by blaming ICE agents on the ground.
Purple district Republicans are recognizing the monster they fed and fear they’ll soon be swept out of office. They’re seeking lifeboats as they face potentially devastating 2026 electoral losses that could lead to Democratic control of the House and Senate.
One doesn’t have to be a pollster to see the dramatic opposition to Trump and his ICE policies and immigration crackdown, as documented by the February 4 Quinnipiac polling with PBS:
- 63% of voters disagree with the way ICE is enforcing immigration laws, a 6% increase in a month
- 60% think ICE should withdraw from Minneapolis
- 58% feel Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem should be removed from her job
- 56% disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, up 2% in a month
- 59% disagree with Trump’s handling of immigration issues, up 5% in a month
- 60% think the administration is too harsh in its treatment of undocumented immigrants
- 51% feel the administration’s immigration approach is making the country less safe
- 51% say the federal government should provide less funding for ICE
- 92% think ICE agents should be required to wear body cameras
- 61% believe ICE agents should not be permitted to wear masks or other face coverings
- 59% say they would prefer giving most undocumented immigrants in the US a pathway to legal status
Trump is upset about his worsening position, especially on his signature immigration policy. He was forced to back down and call for “de-escalation”, replacing Border Control bully Bovino with slightly less bad border czar Homan.
Even Republicans like US Sen. Tom Tillis are joining Democrats in their rising calls for the firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Steven Miller. The MN ICE backlash is so strong it has forced Democrats and Republicans to agree to pull ICE from the government funding bill and have hearings.
Minnesotans Speaking Truth to Power is Creating a Tsunami Coming for Trump
Could Minnesota’s backbone and inspiration be so strong that the country will unite in GETTING ICE OUT NOW and even dissuade Trump from his long-stated threat (and seeming desire) to invoke the Insurrection Act?
Minnesota’s resolve and America’s disdain have forced the pulling of ICE from the major bill and will require debate over numerous provisions, including Democratic leadership demands for 10 major ICE policy changes. You can join with the Alliance in signing our Take Action.
Welcoming Strange Bedfellows and Creating MLK’s Beloved Community
We may be surprised by how fast the tsunami is forming. Democrats and Independents are rising up and being joined by commonsense, moderate Republicans. We’re even seeing MAGAs and MAHAs (Make America Healthy Again) join in as they witness horrible actions they never imagined. What was once their border control dream has become a nightmare.
As we broaden and build, we may be shocked to awaken with strange bedfellows. But this is the moment. This is the opportunity to return to civility, inclusiveness and even kindness. Yes, there will be chameleons and schemers, but we can use this energy to return to being part of a shared humanity, even the beloved community dreamt by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Let’s see if we can learn to live together and respect one another and our differences without being pushed to judgments and othering. Can we assure everyone’s fundamental needs are met? Is it time to return to this thing called democracy? Can we create a thriving economy while respecting people and the planet? Is it possible to have true diversity, equity and inclusion, even if we don’t call it that?
Let’s co-create a world of sustainability, health, equity and kindness! Could this be the silver lining, the true Minnesota Miracle on ICE? We are the water and we are unyielding.
Looking forward to reading this article, Terry. So proud of you and all the work you do while Minnesota is under siege.
Thanks so much Bonnie! Sorry we couldn’t publish it sooner given the NY Times exclusivity rules.