We built this resistance, not them

The continued rise in resistance to the Federal Government’s cruel campaign of in American cities (currently Minneapolis) has netted some small but not insignificant victories. Just today (February 4, 2026) ten year-old Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano and her mother were released from a Texas detention center to return to Minneapolis. Additionally we witnessed Greg Bovino’s banishment and demotion, a small reduction in DHS thugs in Minnesota, and the other release from detention of other minors and their parents. Most of all Trump and his minions have backed away from their open embrace of brutality and authoritarian governance. This is all a result from the widespread public outrage that has led to growing protests and two small, but national, general strikes; and all of that doesn’t happen without the people of Minneapolis being in the streets documenting and getting in the face of ICE agents. They showed us what was happening and that exposed as two of their fellows were murdered in the streets.

And while there was no footage of Keith Porter Jr.’s shooting and murder by an off-duty ICE agent in LA, there can be little doubt that it has added to damning evidence of ICE’s brutality in 2026. As has the deaths of Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Parady La, Luis Beltrán Yáñez–Cruz, and Heber Sánchez Domínguez while in ICE custody.

The direct action of people organizing in their communities to fight back has had a profound effect on the politics in the so-called United States of America, and has directly changed the actions of elected and appointed representatives.

But while there the above victories have been significant, this resistance has also led politicians to make moves to co-opt what people have built themselves. It is hard to believe that Democrats in DC were ever serious about refusing to fund ICE, but it is easy enough to see that they rushed to negotiate with the Trump administration as quickly as possible. As if body cams (that can and will be turned off), training for ICE thugs, and inquiries into if Renee’s and Alex’s street executions could even amount to justice.

Don’t let them take away the work that we have done. Don’t let reformists steal the righteous anger and resistance that we built. We are the solution to this murderous problem, not them.