“Making art feels, finally, like doing something.”

March 19, 2026. Today we hear from several artists who’ve been involved in the resistance against ICE.

“All of my musician friends have been happy and willing to donate their time,”

As a musician, I have been able to help the cause by playing on several concerts and recordings benefiting mutual aid and legal defense for immigrants and performing at the Powderhorn protest with Brass Solidarity. All of my musician friends have been happy and willing to donate their time and energy to help our neighbors, despite many musicians having low incomes. The residents of Minneapolis continue to experience shared trauma, grief, anxiety and a resolve to stick together, do the right thing and continue to stand up for our neighbors and make our streets, homes, schools, etc safe again. As of 2/25, a 10 year-old relative reports that they often can’t go outside for recess because ICE is staking out the elementary school at recess time. Truly despicable and heartbreaking.

- Matthew (Musician)

“I don’t have the capacity to march… But I can support a community establishment,”

I’ve been making pots since college, maybe about fifteen years now, professionally for over a decade. It’s not easy and I don’t make a ton of money, but I get to follow my little ADD dreams. One of the things that I did to support the ICE resistance was donate the mugs and pottery that people use in the coffee shop. When this place became a community hub where people were getting together for resistance efforts, I realized I don’t really have the capacity to march anymore or go to protests and things like that. But I can support a community establishment like that.

- Ryan (Potter)

“I have a voice and all I want to do is use it - everywhere.”

Making art feels, finally, like doing something. It’s not for you, it’s for everyone else to see and know and feel the tiniest bit safer. It’s for those in power to feel scared because their control is just an illusion. It’s a reminder that the fight against fascism is never lost as long as one person keeps resisting. I have a voice and all I want to do is use it – everywhere.

- Star (Digital Artist)

These testimonials were shared with author consent as part of a larger project to share real stories from people affected by the largest DHS operation in history. You can read more about this initiative and the charity it supports at storyforge.com/metrosurge.