Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Issues Stark Warning to Fellow US Mayors
Jacob Frey, the embattled mayor of Minneapolis, has delivered a powerful address at the 94th winter meeting of the US Conference of Mayors in Washington DC, urging his counterparts across the nation to vocally oppose the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. Frey warned that if mayors remain silent, their cities could be the next targets of federal immigration agents, framing the situation as a critical battle for democracy.
Accusations of an 'Invasion' and 'Might Makes Right' Philosophy
In his speech, Frey accused the Trump administration of staging what he described as an "invasion" of Minneapolis, involving the deployment of between 3,000 and 4,000 federal agents under "Operation Metro Surge." He linked this to a broader "might makes right" philosophy, which he attributed to Stephen Miller, Trump's influential deputy chief of staff. Frey argued that this approach is not about legitimate immigration control but rather about suppressing dissent and targeting communities based on ethnicity.
Context of Recent Violence and Detentions
The mayor's remarks come in the wake of several high-profile incidents in Minneapolis, including:
- The fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti by two immigration agents last Saturday.
- The killing of local resident Renee Nicole Good by an agent on 7 January, after which Frey told ICE to "get the fuck out of Minneapolis."
- The detention of school children, such as five-year-old Liam Ramos, who was sent to a facility in Texas with his father.
- Clashes with US citizens, including a woman violently pulled from her car during a verbal altercation.
Frey emphasized that these actions have made the city less safe, disrupting daily life and instilling fear in families, particularly those of Somalian, Latino, or Asian origin.
A Call to Action for Democratic Principles
Frey rallied his fellow mayors, stating, "We are on the front lines of a very important battle, and it's important that we aren't silenced." He urged them not to yield to fear or despair, highlighting that speaking out is essential to protect their communities. His message was clear: standing up to bullies and defending democratic values is paramount in the face of what he perceives as an overreach by federal authorities.
The speech received loud applause from the audience, underscoring the resonance of his warnings among municipal leaders concerned about federal encroachment and civil liberties.
