In the opening months of 2026, the people of Duluth have gathered several times to protest the operations of ICE agents in Minnesota.
These protests have come amidst what is being called “Operation Metro Surge” in the Twin Cities, where ICE agents have been detaining large numbers of people using increasingly brutal tactics.
ICE stands for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The stated purpose of their operation — which started in the Twin Cities in early December of 2025 — is to deport undocumented immigrants. In reality, people in all stages of the citizenship spectrum are being detained, from undocumented immigrants to legally recognized citizens.
Violence against protesters of the operation in Minnesota has been prevalent, including the killings by ICE of Renee Good on Jan. 7, 2026 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, 2026. This has only fanned the fire in Minnesota, and people all over the state have been holding protests, marches, and sit-ins.
People in Duluth have held several protests so far this year, including a sit-in at City Hall on Jan. 23rd, the same day of a nationwide ICE Out strike and march in Minneapolis, which was attended by tens of thousands of people.
CSS student Lily McCarthy attended the sit-in at Duluth City Hall, which was held inside the building due to the sub zero temperatures. The organizers of the sit-in, the Twin Ports chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, provided food and signs for the protesters.
“There were a lot of speakers, like people from different parts of the community there were talking on major issues that they’re having specifically with what the administration has been doing to Minnesota,” McCarthy said. “That was really great, just to hear people’s voices and sit there and know that there’s a great community, that sense of solidarity, like, people do care about these issues, it’s not just me. Sometimes it can just feel so isolating.”
McCarthy emphasized the value of protesting to her personally. She said, “I think it’s important for me to use my privilege and my voice to stand up for others. I tend to get really frustrated at all of the violence in our world and I just really want people to be kind and respectful and caring.”
While the sit-in was planned in advance, there have also been many impromptu protests popping up around the city. Some are as small as a few people with loud voices on a street corner, and some have grown larger, such as the protest that happened on Jan. 25, the day after Pretti was killed.
This protest was held on the intersection of Superior Street and Lake Avenue, a popular spot for protests due to its heavy traffic and space on the corner. The protest quickly grew to all four street corners. People held signs condemning ICE, calling out the Trump administration, demanding justice for Good and Pretti, and expressing Minnesotan strength and power.
Protestors with megaphones led chants such as “ICE out” and “no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” while people playing drums kept a beat. People handed out handwarmers, cookies, and signs.
Though these public demonstrations come in response to a painful time for many Minnesotans, they have also become a catalyst for connection, community, and taking care of each other.
