Minnesotans Rally Against Trump and Noem: “No Trump, No Troops, No ICE”

On Friday afternoon, a crowd gathered outside the Henry Whipple Federal Building, the site of regional ICE offices, for a powerful rally hosted by the People’s Action Coalition Against Trump (PCAT). The event, organized in less than a day, served both as a counter-protest to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s surprise visit to Minnesota and as a launch for tomorrow’s “No Trump, No Troops” March and Rally at the State Capitol.

Speakers from across Minnesota’s activist and community organizations denounced what they described as the Trump administration’s “militarized assault” on immigrants, reproductive freedom, and democracy itself.

“We will not stand by while ICE kidnaps our neighbors.”

Paul of Minnesota 5051 opened the rally with a passionate speech invoking Minnesota’s history of courage and sacrifice at Fort Snelling during the Civil War. Drawing parallels between the First Minnesota Regiment’s bravery at Gettysburg and the present-day struggle against ICE raids and deportations, Paul urged attendees to continue that legacy of resistance.

“ICE, with their new $375 billion budget, is not making America great again,” Paul said. “They’re taking away the very thing that gives us the potential to be great — new immigrants who bring new ideas and help move our country forward.”

Paul ended his remarks by calling for unity, quoting Emma Lazarus’s poem on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Reproductive Justice Tied to Immigration Rights

Roxus of the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC) linked reproductive rights and immigration justice, condemning what they called “Trump’s dual attacks on bodily autonomy and immigrant families.”

Citing reports of pregnant women detained and denied medical care in ICE facilities, Roxus declared, “Deportations are a fundamental attack on bodily autonomy.” The crowd erupted in chants of “Shame!” as Roxus recounted recent cases of neglect and abuse in detention centers, including a Minnesota mother separated from her nursing toddler.

“We fight for reproductive justice, which includes the right to raise children in safe and healthy environments,” they said. “That’s why we are here to say: No Trump, no troops, and no ICE.”

“Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!”

Myrka of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) delivered an emotional address and led the crowd in chants honoring the names of detainees who have died or disappeared in ICE custody.

“We reject their claim that they keep us safe. Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!” chanted Myrka. She also spoke of the need for solidarity across communities and emphasized that “silence in the face of injustice is complicity.”

Naming Fascism

Brooke, co-chair of the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America, tied the administration’s actions to a broader historical context. Speaking on the grounds of Fort Snelling — a site where Dakota people were once imprisoned by the U.S. government — Brooke said, “There’s a clear through line between that genocidal settler colonial government and today’s racist, fascist regime.”

“Fascism is the way the ruling class protects capitalism — by creating a racialized scapegoat for the problems they cause,” said Brooke, urging Minnesotans to organize locally: “Join a union, join a tenants’ group, revive mutual aid. Because right now, we need solidarity to fight and win against fascism.”

From War Abroad to Militarization at Home

Alison of the Anti-War Committee and Women Against Military Madness drew direct connections between U.S. foreign policy and domestic repression.

“The violence enacted abroad by U.S. militarism eventually comes home,” she said. “Trump calls himself an anti-war president, but he’s bringing militarism home with National Guard occupations.”

Alison condemned what she called “imperial hypocrisy” — destabilizing nations abroad, forcing people to flee, and then criminalizing them when they arrive. “Money for jobs and education,” she chanted with the crowd, “not for Trump’s occupation!”

Community Self-Defense and Resistance

The rally closed with remarks from Jess of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice, a Black-led organization that is part of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. Jess described ICE’s actions as “lawless terrorism” against communities of color.

“This was never about safety,” Jess said. “They’re pulling mothers from cars at school pickup lines, zip-tying children, and even detaining citizens while they work. For every way they attack us, there are thousands of ways we fight back.”

Recalling the 2020 George Floyd uprising, Jess reminded the crowd, “The Twin Cities know how to stand up for our people. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.”

Looking Ahead: “No Trump, No Troops”

Kalani, the rally’s emcee and member of PCAT, closed the event by urging everyone to join tomorrow’s No Trump, No Troops March and Rally tomorrow October 25th at 1:00 p.m. beginning at the Minnesota State Capitol. Organizers say it will bring together immigrant rights, reproductive justice, anti-war, and racial justice groups under one banner — united against Trump’s deployment of ICE and the National Guard in American cities.

“What we’re seeing is people making ‘United Against Fascism’ not just a slogan, but an on-the-ground reality,” they said. “If fascism isn’t here yet, it’s standing right behind us. And we’re ready to face it together.”