Working the ICE story in Minneapolis meant relying on others—friends, colleagues, total strangers even. It meant leaning on the community and knowing how to sift good information from bad—and by the end of my time there, there was a lot of the latter.
As I write this, Border Patrol officers have just killed Alex Jeffrey Pettri. The video of this act is horrifying to watch—in the process of trying to help one of his neighbors, he was held down, then shot multiple times.
I’m not entirely sure what kind of article I’m trying to write here. I could share with you the pitch-black comic absurdity that was the “Meat Stick Run,” following head of Border Patrol Gregory Bovinio’s motorcade from gas station to gas station, where he made a big show of buying beef jerky before tossing gas into a crowd of protesters. I could walk you through the gear I used or the prep necessary for covering a story like this, but that all seems… I don’t know. Shallow, maybe.
I suppose the best place to start is in the middle. The first two days after I arrived in Minneapolis were fairly sedate, all things considered. Courts had ruled that ICE couldn’t use projectiles or crowd-control chemicals anymore, and instead of large-scale fights between protesters and agents, you saw smaller actions: countless agents spread out through the city to make arrests or go door to door. Locals documented license plates and added them to databases of known ICE vehicles, or followed agents when possible from site to site. Various channels were used to communicate between them, but those channels were open and filled with bad actors drowning the signal with noise and false information, making it difficult to figure out which tips were genuine and which weren’t.
A few days in, Bovino was reported to be leading a motorcade around and through the city. Journalists on the scene shared information, and eventually those six or so ICE vehicles were followed by a convoy of perhaps a dozen cars driven by journalists, intermixed with around the same number of cars driven by activists, all honking their horns and blowing whistles to warn their neighbors that ICE was in the area. The ICE convoy would stop, start, turn in different directions, break up into smaller groupings, and then reconnect a few blocks later—under different circumstances, it would have been funny. You could have layered the Benny Hill soundtrack over the whole scene.
By the third stop, any hint of humor had evaporated. I suppose it never really was, but some days it’s hard not to fall back on gallows humor. Everywhere the convoy went, neighbors and activists were out, blowing their whistles and yelling at them to leave their neighborhood. In return, the agents would get out of their vehicles, make menacing noises or threaten locals with pepper spray or weapons, then head back inside. Move forward fifty feet, wash and repeat. After a few minutes of this, Bovino exited the car and started throwing gas, while other agents tossed locals around or pepper sprayed them. I remember looking down for a minute at the green smoke spewing a few feet from me before realizing what it was and rushing to get my mask on. I remembered all my chemical warfare training from the military, and somehow it still wasn’t enough to keep from huffing down a face full of the stuff. To my right, a woman was crying and covering her face, trying to get the spray out of her eyes. Activists were trying to flush it out with water, but that’s always a mixed bag. Some were shouting to get milk or Maalox, but that stuff doesn’t really work. A few neighbors offered to let affected folks into their homes. A small crowd had gathered around a magazine one of the agents dropped, the 5.56 rounds covered in snow. It was the second or third time I’d seen one of them drop ammo like that.
I got my photos, and the ICE agents drove off. I didn’t have the energy to follow them anymore, and my partner for the day didn’t have a clear idea of where they went.
Scenes like this aren’t uncommon in Minneapolis anymore, but it does bring me back to the beginning of this article: if nothing else, the last few weeks have shown how people have learned to rely on one another. The Signal chats are an endless stream of neighbors helping neighbors; of folks taking down license plate numbers and running them against a database of known vehicles, or following suspected ICE agents from one raid to the next. Some were run with almost martial precision, with SALUTE reports (Size, Activity, Location, Uniforms, Time, Equipment) and photos shared to give communities a clear picture of where and when they were being threatened. There were plenty of bad actors, too—people pretending to be activists or locals, spreading false information or panic—but they were far outnumbered by the rest.
Just as important, the journalists on site looked out for each other. We joked where we could, helped each other with information or rides, or even just checked in to make sure we were all safe. We rode out the stressful moments at the end of the night at bars or hotel lobbies, or sent jobs to each other when one of us couldn’t cover down for a particular assignment. There was something about this that I found reassuring—that it wasn’t all just the law of the jungle out here.
I don’t know what’s coming next. Right now, ICE raids and activities are still continuing in Minneapolis, and more are expected in other cities soon. Philadelphia is thought to be next, but it could be anywhere. It’s easy to feel pessimistic, to let the weight of everything drive you down… but there’s also a lot to be optimistic about, too. The way these communities—my colleagues and friends—have all come together to support each other and push back? It’s something, anyways.
I spoke with one of my buddies about this, another photojournalist who left the day I arrived: “You help your friends, you do the fucking thing.”
26 Comments
So good, brave and important that this get s documented.
From Europe we look with disbelief and horror at what America has become (in many areas with world wide effects). That 50% of your country has willingly elected a totally destructive leader. And if that's not crazy enough; you knew what you voted for. I really wonder what the Trump votes have to say know about their choice.
Well considering that 50% of the country voted for Biden that opened the borders and let countries dump criminals into the US, the current state is not unexpected. Many people left and right live in an echo chamber and get fed information they way their party desires. Many get radicalized to the point of believing in a cause that puts them in harms way. In the US we see much of Europe overwhelmed by immigrants and their citizens rioting in the streets except in countries such as Poland that have kept their borders closed and put their citizens first. So looking at what much of Europe has become, I doubt any Trump voter would choose that over strict immigration enforcement.
The borders haven't been open since the 1700's. You people are woefully misinformed, and the irony of you talking about "echo chambers" is absurd.
I have college friends that work in DHS that would disagree with you but of course the media you imbibe tells you different. Statistics don't lie.
About those "echo chambers".. Thanks for the insight of yours ("looking at what much of Europe has become"). I live in Europe and I don't recognize any of JD Vance's rhetoric.
This has been reported by all media outlets not one leaning one way or the other. Once again, immigration numbers and crime statistics tell a different story.
Let me tell you (from The Netherlands). The total CRAP Vance came up with in early 25 in Germany, was our real wake-up call about this USA regime. "The real danger for Europe comes from within". He was so right there, but ironically different as he intended. The danger are not the muslims. The danger in an ally trying to divide us and trying to help extreme right parties to power (like AFP in Germany) to divide Europe even more. All with the goal to gain more power to and get rid of inconvenient (for the big tech $$$ making, but important in a civilized world) EU laws.
"Freedom of speech and opinion" on un-moderated social platforms my ass.. Freedom to confuse everyone with a shitload of propaganda and fake news you mean with the goal to undermine our society.
About statistics: you better look at your own because these are in big contrast with Europe.
USA score very bad on street waste, number of homeless people, gun violence and even life expectancy (5 years shorter than in Scandinavia, which is shocking imo). Do you think immigration is to blame?
And recently we can add press freedom, fake news (even spread by the government), police violence, and the separation of powers is being strained. You can hardly deny that your country has gone downhill.
I believe most Americans too are looking in horror and disbelief at what's happening here. At least those who read or see any news at all. The problem in this country is that the majority of people do not read or follow current events... until maybe close to elections and then it's just typical political ideology that never changes, or a choice between the lesser of two evils.
In the meantime, an immigration issue becomes justification for abuse of power. Instead of it being approached as a problem rooted in a worldwide humanitarian crisis, this president and administration has labeled everyone who is not a natural born US citizen as a criminal. It's clearly a cheap populist appeal to white nationalism that will always find a small home somewhere among the racists in this country. Instead of a rational and more narrowly focused approach to reducing crime, this administration has used widespread fear and illegal tactics. White middle aged guys like myself can walk the streets without fear of being arrested... no such freedom exists for those of another race or color. And this is a country founded on the principles of freedom. What's happening currently in this country literally makes me feel nauseous. This country has not been so divided since the Vietnam War. And even then, there were greater checks and balances on power which eventually brought down a president. Fortunately even a few Republicans in Congress are beginning to recognize the disasters of this administration's actions. If not for purely humanitarian reasons, possibly for their own reelection chances.
These issues are only remotely connected to political themes as I've understood them all my life. I have a mix of conservative and liberal beliefs, but the actions of this administration go against everything I've ever thought this country stood for, no matter whether you believed in either larger federal government or more limited government. The power and authority that this country and the courts, to date, have given this president scares me beyond imagination. As for the election, I have voted for very few Democrats in my life, but the 2020 and 2024 national elections were the worst of two bad choices. I did not vote for Biden or Harris because of their policies... I voted for them because of the institutional destruction and chaos caused by the Trump administration. When power and control over the free press, courts, military, taxation and monetary policy reside in the hands of one person, the country and democracy are doomed.
Thanks to CS Muncy for reporting on this story. I'm sure the work comes with great risk and threats to personal safety. But the work of a journalist is vital to the future of America.
I don't remember a time when law enforcement has been subjected to the amount of interference and physical confrontation. As POC it bothers me personally to those illegally in our country receiving assistance over those in need in the community. It's easy to just assume that everyone who support deportation efforts is racist, but I believe a trip to the inner city of Chicago or any other town would lend a different story. Just looking at the demographics of the protesters and you'll see who is noticeably absent.
I don't remember a time either when there was so much protest against the police. Protests in the 1960s were directed at the government and the war. Law enforcement tried to be more of the solution than the problem. Now it appears that law enforcement may be perceived as more of the problem than the solution. The issue seemed to snowball during the Obama presidency, directed at police brutality against black people. Now it's in protest of abuse against undocumented immigrants. Seems fair to say that one protest evolved out of the other.
Maybe there's a reason that protests have increased, other than the idea that protests are instigated by bad actors and it's all fake news. Maybe there's a legitimate claim that law enforcement over reaches what it was established for. I do not agree with the proposition that paid protestors are overwhelmingly imported to wreak havoc. I live in a relatively small city, but I know or know of many of the protestors here... they are friends and neighbors. Images from the news seem to paint a picture that everyday normal people going to work or play are protesting. As they should because the immigration enforcement policies by this administration are clearly at odds with the majority of Americans who believe that innocent people, regardless of documents, should not be arrested, especially under violent conditions.
If you really believe that every undocumented immigrant should be deported, strengthen the legal system and do it through proper legal procedure. You don't drag people out of their home or place of work and slap them into a prison. Law enforcement is clearly on the wrong side of public opinion in that regard... hence more protests. The irony of a convicted felon sitting in the White House, while innocent people never having been charged with a crime are shot and killed in the streets deserves outrage.
Why two evils? In Europe we really don't get what's evil about the democrates, apart from not standing up and being vocal enough about what's happening today. But we also don't get how those so called Christian norms (that seem to be so decisive in elections) fit with not caring for the poor (social care), the world you leave behind (I think the bible writes about stewardship, but many republicans don't believe in or care for climate change), or even dignity from an leader who should be an example for your kids. Instead they are willing to elect a lying, racist, sexist, narcissist who destroys every international treaty (trade, safety alliances, world health organizations, development aid, environment, etc. etc.), the world achieved in 80 years. Very Christian like.. Weird..
Two things surprise me most about American thinking.
1: everything that has to do with some kind social care gets labeled as socialism or even communism. That's so hilarious and ignorant imo. Just look at countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Scotland and The Netherlands and you seriously think you got a better system concerning social care, avordable health care and education? Sure there will always a small minority of people who profit, but I can assure you society pays a lot more for a "you make it or you end up in the gutter" you guys use.
2: your look on abortion or choice of sexual preference and such topics... I respect everyone's personal opinion, but sometimes I have to think real deep what's the difference between islamic state and conservative USA by telling others how to live "right".
Great to hear from you again, Leo... it's been awhile since we've gotten involved in one of these discussions. I agree with you on several points. I agree that the US needs an underpinning of socialist programs. And to some basic degree, we have social safety net programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SNAP for food, and others that benefit US citizens. They are not to the level of Scandinavian countries, but we don't have the higher level of taxation either. Nothing comes free, nor are most services in this country even reasonably priced. Healthcare costs are driving people here into bankruptcy. The federal government is financially broke too, and where the money to pay for additional social services would come from, I have no idea. We're definitely between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
My political position as an Independent voter (neither registered as Democrat nor Republican) draws a little from each party. But the problem in American politics, beyond just widespread public apathy, is that the two party system doesn't favor moderate thinking like mine. Candidates are elected from local caucuses where activists and most extreme elements of each party nominate a candidate. Moderates don't get involved in elections a year or two before an election. The hair-on-fire, screaming "the other party will destroy America" types are the ones who get nominated at primary elections. Compromise is not seen as a strength… it’s perceived as weakness. In other words, the most extreme Democrat of Democrats get nominated. If a Democrat were to even hint at a conservative policy, say like, cutting back on government regulations of any type, they'd never make it to day two of the nominating process. And Democrats will regulate you to death around here. They also like to force providing mandatory services on businesses for which business owners morally disagree (the baker having to make a cake for same-sex marriages). Another unpopular Democratic position currently is mandating that transgender athletes be able to participate in competitions as the sex of their choice, rather than the sex as stated on their birth certificate. I’m sympathetic to equal protections, but not to the extent of a transgender girl in a high school wrestling contest. That’s an issue presently being considered by our US Supreme Court. It's not just Christian and Muslims dictating what we should or should not read or believe; both Democrats and Republicans alike seem intent on telling us how to live.
I called our elections a choice between two evils, metaphorically speaking, because in so many elections that I can remember in my lifetime (age 71) I voted for a candidate, not because I really liked or was excited about him or her, but because I feared the other candidate more. And never was that on display more than the last couple elections. There is no doubt Trump is a deeply flawed individual. Biden only won in 2020 because of that. But just when Trump had been convicted of felony charges and you'd think banished from political office forever, Biden decides that he really does want to remain in power. He considered himself a "bridge" president in 2020, but by 2024, despite having turned 80 years old, he tried to convince the American public that he was fit for the job... until the 11th hour when he decided that he wasn't. So rather than using his four years as president to strengthen the Democratic party, by promoting and developing younger candidates to follow where he would leave off, Biden chose to stay in the spotlight, and at 80 years old, it wasn't pretty. Immediately the advantages held by Democrats in 2020 went down the drain in 2024. It's called a self-inflicted wound. His choice of vice-president always seemed a little strained, Kamala Harris having accused Biden in the 2020 primary debates of having been on the wrong side of racial integration issues. She was set up to fail by the Democratic party, and Democrats have no one to blame than Biden and his personal enablers. Power is a corruptive force in the United States and Europe alike.
It's not just all about political platforms and ideology. It's about brand and messaging. In many elections, a candidate's personality has a lot to do with swaying independent voters. Many voters simply did not like Hillary Clinton. I was one of them. Her persona came across as arrogant and uncaring, despite her spoken words. In a very, very close election, a single carelessly uttered phrase (calling Trump supporters a basket of deplorables) sent Trump to the White House. Mitt Romney's comment (I'm not concerned about the very poor), while extracted out of context, probably sealed his fate in 2012 and handed the election to Obama. In a very narrow election in 1960, the more charismatic Kennedy beat Nixon. Of course the battle lines were drawn on traditional ideology, and racial segregation was arguably the most delicate issue at that time, but at the end of the day, Nixon got on the televised debate stage and sweat like a nervous pig, while the youthful Kennedy appeared cool and calm. It may have been the last time the American public fell in love with a president. By 2024, the people of this country were absolutely sick and tired of two old men grasping at straws to hold on to power. Opinion polls proved that we wanted different candidates. It was really hard to watch, and as bad of a choice between the lesser of two evils as I can ever remember.
Yes, I agree, the political system in the US is broken. Each party works so hard to make the other look bad, at the expense of honesty and integrity, or solutions which move the country forward. It really is pathetic. I'm not sure that's particularly unique though to American politics. Not all seems to work so smoothly in London or Paris either. We desperately need a strong centrist third party, actually capable of winning an election. The roots for that were growing in 2024, but ultimately disbanded because of the fear of splitting the Democratic vote and handing the election to Trump. The idea of a third party was gaining momentum but the timing was wrong.
Agreed. The English system suffers from big swings as well. A parliamentary system with coalitions is a saver system imho. Your elected president has way too much power. I think everyone can see that now.
Thanks for your detailed answer Ed. It helps a little to understand and at the same time... I just get American politics. How can that gender topic be so big in your country? It seems to me it's being used (to incite fear) and exaggerated. Here it's no topic at all. I can't care less about a gay parade or even if someone wants to change their gender. It's their lives and I don't fear it's contageous either. Discussions about participating in competitions is up to the sports bonds (and ofc they take measures if it leads to unfair competition) and no political thing. Seems to me your country has way bigger problems than that.
I even heard in Florida some schools banned the diary of Anne Frank because of some passage in it about a doubt if she felt attracted to a girl. "We should not expose our children to this kind of dangerous reading material that might give them bad ideas". It's so crazy; she was just an innocent girl in the development of her teenage years. And the sad thing is: it's such an important book for what it's really about.
Yes, it was absurd that Biden was in the race that long, but that's no excuse to vote for Trump over Harris. I think her color and gender also didn't help.
Politics, and especially in America seems to be all about show, controversy and making the other fall. The two party system obviously doesn't work if one party opposes everything the other wants on principle, even if they agree. It's a completely rotten climate.
If you guys perse want to elect an old men, what was wrong with Bernie Sanders? He seems the most reasonable, civilized and intelligent politician and thus the total opposite of your orange dictator.
Bernie Sanders first ran for the Democratic nomination in 2016 when Hillary Clinton had already been anointed the party's leader, and Bill and Hillary Clinton's control of the Democrats was invincible. Even the Democrats branded Sanders as too socialist for this country, likely knowing the country would never elect him as president. Pragmatic he is though, and policies should be taken seriously, but as I said earlier, power corrupts and perceived messaging determines the outcome of elections. Sanders was equated with failed socialist governments in South America.... shortages in food and extreme inflation being a major concern.
I suspect "Christian norms" have maybe always been somewhat subordinate to power, control, and economics. I've been reading a book about bookmaking and the printing press as it was introduced in Italy in the 1400s. The extent to which brutality was condoned under the name of religion blows my mind. Popes authorized the plundering, colonization, and enslavement of non-Christian lands. Certain parts of the world have become more civilized since then, but for a lot of the planet and mankind, we've arguably progressed very little in 500+ years.
Your article has so much fake information you may want to get a job with CNN or MSNOW. I suppose you also support threatening violent protesters illegally invading a church service that also frightened nice people. If you ever become the victim of an illegal immigrant you might change your illegal viewpoint. By the way, iCE is struggling to deal with violent paid protesters funded by sources that are not American friendly.
Hilarious.. So CNN and MSNOW are the fake news channels? Gregory Bovinio with his view on the incident so reminded me of the Iraqi minister of information in 2003. Let me guess, he's the truth speaker in your world?
From England, where I live, it looks like a complex situation.
On the one hand, Minnesota has a massive problem with industrial-scale, billion-dollar welfare fraud driven in large part by illegal immigration from Somalia.
The ‘charities’ claiming millions of dollars for supposedly feeding thousands of disadvantaged children a day, which were empty of children when journalists visited.
So that needs to be fixed, fast.
On the other hand, ICE have been extremely trigger-happy in the face of resistance from the local community.
The ideal scenario would be for immigration agents to quickly identify and deport illegal immigratnts without resorting to gestapo tactics, and the local community- including legal immigrants, would stand aside and let them do their job.
But that’s probably not going to happen.
The current operational structure is the same as under the Obama administration, President Trump even brought in many of the same people Obama picked to implement his same program. The way it has worked for many decades, is that the government maintains a non-detained docket of individuals known to be in the country illegally. The way enforcement works, is if any of them end up in booking records for a jail, then immigration enforcement submits a detainer request so that the individual can be transferred to federal custody after the state is done with implementing any convictions and other action.
By federal law, even without a detainer request, by federal law backed by the supremacy clause in the constitution, they are required to turn them over to federal custody. The detainer requests just makes coordination easier.
Under every past administration, those requests were honored and millions of criminals were deported that way. Starting January 20, 2017, 21 states immediately stopped honoring detainer requests, and began releasing criminals back on the street from jails and prisons.Then over the years they began implementing sanctuary laws which violated federal immigration law as well as the supremacy clause in the constitution. The violence in MN is unique and highly coordinated, and largely started after state officials gave "resistance" tacit approval after announcements were made as to widespread investigations into what became nearly 30 billion dollars in fraud (when considering all levels of government aid that was defrauded in addition to the whistleblower complaints and documents provided from state employees).
Many complaints about being trigger happy, are based on false narratives. For example, biased sources ignored some of the footage that more clearly showed the ICE agent getting hit by the SUV, and from some of their selective releases, they literally lied about what was seen on video. for example, the main footage that was played on networks like CNN, completely ignored how both feet of the agent could be seen sliding backwards at the time of the first shot that went through the front of the windshield, they also muted audio or talked over the section where the engine revving could be heard. They also ignored that the wheels slipped due to the driver flooring it.
For the other officer involved shooting, the ignored some footage showing violent actions, they ignored his activity in the signal chat group where he was part of a 50 person direct action group whose job was specifically to violently obstruct in addition to establishing de-arrests (to ensure that members who fight officers, cannot be arrested (audio of their group chats, as well as images and documents coordinating attacks were published, the violence was so well organized they even have manuals instructing on how to attack officers). The preparation is at a level that was previously only seen when military intelligence was going after terrorist cells in the middle east.
To top it off, some networks even had fake "legal" analyst claim that he was legally carrying, and that lie largely looped until they could no longer bury the state law and reports from other networks that detailed the state law on carrying, and how it restricted open and conceal carry in public gatherings (and used protests specifically as an example). The law also required individuals to have their ID and permit with them at all times when carrying. It also requires them to start their side of any police interaction with informing the officer that they are open or conceal carrying a firearm, and be willing to present the permit and firearm upon request.
The law also requires that permits be revoked upon the commission of any violent crime, or misdemeanor above a certain class(hence why some biased networks tried so hard to ignore the footage over the past few weeks of all of the fights he got in with law enforcement). Had the stand down order by the mayor had not been in place, the initial reports would have had the criminal arrested for violation of the state's laws and the shooting 11 days later would not have been possible.
They ignored that the first shot took place when he reached into his waistband. Law enforcement does not need to wait for someone to actually get the weapon in hand. This is why it is still ruled as justifiable shoots, even if someone is completely unarmed but they disobey lawful orders while being arrested and reach into anything that can contain a weapon against orders.
When being arrested, it is protocol to consider pockets, waistbands, and many other areas are considered major threats until officers have a chance to conduct a search.This means that the worst thing someone can do during an arrest is reach inside of a pocket or waistband. There are many SCOTUS cases on this. Simply put, officers lack X-ray vision and cannot instantly determine how many weapons someone has as well as their location. The majority officer deaths on the job are due to a failure to react quickly enough to a criminal reaching into a pocket or waistband, thus resulting in officers getting shot.
It is easy for people to be mislead in polarizing situations because tribalism will often cause people to prejudge a situation, and then outsource their critical thinking to the first headline that reinforces their desired conclusion. Then to avoid cognative dissonance, they will actively ignore all other information that my challenge the tribalistic conclusion they made initially. While these situations are still tragic, they do not happen in the vacuum that some networks try to create.
Anyway, outside of the recent weeks, there have been others, though they were forced out of the news cycle rapidly when it became too hard to spin a narrative, e.g., an officer involved shooting that turned out to be an ambush attack on ice agents where multiple officers were shot, but when only one side gets reported, some wee lead to believe that ICE were attacking protesters.
Then subsequent ambush attacks such as the group of 10 who shot at officers and managed to initially escape after inflicting multiple life threatening injuries, leaving the officers unable to shoot back, some networks ignore it entirely while others gave it on average less than 7 seconds of coverage.
Since July, there has been at least 1 ambush attack on DHS officers every 1-2 weeks where criminals used deadly force. Including some ambush attack on FBI agents.
In 1930’s Europe times were hard. The Great Depression was in full flow. Political leaders stood up on their platforms and announced that it was all the fault of others who are different from us, and gangs of thugs were recruited to round them up. We all know where things went from there.
They say history repeats itself. I sincerely hope I’m wrong about this one.
In the essay above you see how easy the words "millions of criminals" are used..
At least Bruce Springsteen is speaking out lout. Not his best best song :) but huge respect.
I must honestly say I'm very surprised that ICE (and I guess the Trump regime) still has so many supporters, also on this site.
What does this have to do with photography? And before @Leo dj goes off on a diatribe. I too "live in Europe."
Diatribe :)
Sorry man. Some things seem important enough not to be silent about.
The original article obvious is photography related.