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🧊 'Melt the ICE Week of Action' kicks off

February 26, 2026

Good morning, Twin Cities. It’s Adam today. Usually, if you were caught running in the St. Paul skyway system, you'd be reprimanded by a security guard. But not this Saturday! I'll be headed over to St. Paul to run the Skyway 5k, an all-indoor race where the security guards will cheer you on as you go (I assume). If you're someone who likes running but hates running in the winter, come say hi.

Today’s Must-Know

People in attendance at an open mic. There is one person speaking and people in attendance. A person has a sign that reads "Bring the heat, melt the ice"
Community members shared stories from Operation Metro Surge at an open mic in front of the Whipple Federal Building. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities)

'Melt the ICE Week of Action' Kicks off in the Twin Cities

Organizers expect over 2,000 people to participate in five days of public demonstrations, skill shares, and community meals, which will culminate in a march from Fort Snelling to the Whipple Federal Building on Sunday. Organizers have posted a public schedule for the Week of Action here. [Pioneer Press]

  • Whipple witness: One of the first official events of the Week of Action was a community open mic outside of the Whipple Federal Building. People gathered to hear community members share their stories and sing songs of protest from Operation Metro Surge. [🎥 City Cast Twin Cities]
  • Passing it on: Activists from around the country have flown in to participate in workshops and skill shares to learn resistance tactics that have worked for Minnesotans during ICE's surge. They hope to replicate Minnesota's effective anti-ICE neighborhood organizing nationwide. [Unicorn Riot]

Sponsored Content

Display image of the Minnesota Timberwolves mascot celebrating National Reading Month

Maplewood students to celebrate National Reading Month with a rally

Xcel Energy and the Minnesota Timberwolves are kicking off National Reading Month with a rally at Edgerton Elementary School in Maplewood on March 2. The school won a months-long competition among local schools tracking the minutes their students read. Learn more about the Education Station bookmobile, which brings free library experiences to kindergarten through third grade students.

What the Cities Are Talking About

Writers respond: An all-star cast of poets and writers is holding a public reading today at 6:30 p.m. at Open Book to raise money for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. After the reading, the writers will stick around for a book signing and community gathering. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Plan ahead: The Nicollet Ave. bridge over the Minnehaha Creek will be closing on March 3 for repairs that will last for 18 months. If the bridge is a part of your regular commute, get ready for a lengthy detour through the Tangletown neighborhood. [Bring Me The News]

A bus on the road. On the destination sign, it reads "4P Knox-American"
Several legislators want to rein in the costs of low-ridership transit lines. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities)

Sorry, suburbanites: State legislators will consider a bill aimed at eliminating high-cost, low-ridership transit lines – many of which are operated by suburban providers and require large state subsidies. The House Transportation Committee has centered its discussion around a report that identifies certain transit routes as candidates for elimination, but suburban transit providers claim the data used in the report is old and does not paint a true picture. [Star Tribune]

One last look: The African Museum of Arts' Black History Month exhibition will be open for its last days today and tomorrow. Head over to check out works of reflection, connection, and storytelling from artists Kay Heino, Rajine Williams, Arnée Martin, and Jeannine Erickson while you still can. [Spokesman-Recorder]

'Deficient and broken': A former ICE attorney-turned-whistleblower who helped train immigration enforcement agents said many of the agents who were sent to Minnesota received insufficient training. He claims the use-of-force training was pared down into a single lecture and that agents were explicitly instructed to enter homes without judicial warrants. [MPR]

What to Do

Thursday, Feb 26

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Did you see the new 2026 snowplow names released by MnDOT? Personally, I find it fishy that any of these were chosen over "Abolish ICE," but as a lifelong Curious George fan, I'm glad "Flurrious George" made the cut.

— Adam Sage

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