Anarchists from the Twin Cities share their experiences building rapid response networks, explore how Minnesota thwarted Operation Metro Surge, and draw out lessons about how to defeat fascism.

The people of the Twin Cities did not turn the tide against the occupation by force of arms, but by out-mobilizing ICE. Yet this does not mean that physically fighting the occupiers has played no role in the outcome.

A mass mobilization across the entire society forced the federal government to begin to withdraw. Well over 30,000 people have participated in the rapid response networks in some way, utilizing a wide range of tactics. Many thousands of these people dedicated their lives to the resistance and patrolled the streets every day for over two months. Many thousands more have participated in clandestine mutual aid networks to bring food, supplies, and rent relief to undocumented families forced into hiding. One in four adults in Minnesota participated in the general strike of January 23 in some way, and an estimated 8% of all Minnesotans refused to work that day. Signs reading “Everyone welcome except ICE” appeared in the windows of practically every business in South Minneapolis.

Text from They Escalate, We Escalate: A Short History of the Fight against ICE in the Twin Cities, an anonymously written essay published by CrimethInc on February 23, 2026.