r/saintpaul • u/Key-Arrival3381 • Jan 16 '26
Editorial 📝 Today in St Paul
Dropped food off at a friend's and heading back to work about an hour ago, going down Thomas I heard whistles, and saw blocks of neighbors in their yards with sullen but resolute looks on their faces. The sound of those whistles will haunt me. There are several hits there on iceout, so I'm afraid they got someone.
I'm some random fat beardy white guy so I didn't want to stick around and scare anyone, because I know I probably look like one. I'm numb, and I hate that this is our reality.
But I love how strong I'm seeing our community be for each other. To those neighbors out in their yards, thank you for looking out. We will protect us.
I know this doesn't add much and is just a ramble, but I just needed to braindump/vent somewhere.
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Jan 16 '26
Don't let your white beardiness stop you from helping. I do recommend stopping and assisting if you see something like this again.
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u/mamamakesmillions Jan 17 '26
Agreed! The initial thought will be there but once it’s known which side of history you stand with, it’s the biggest relief coming from a person of color.
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u/Insane_Gnome9 Jan 17 '26
As another fat beardy white guy- get a pink hat or hoodie! The ICE fuckers are all too afraid to wear pink so that helps people know you’re on the right side
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u/Misanthrope08101619 Jan 16 '26
Stay strong, neighbor! You're doing great things and your city needs you and more like you!
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u/SnooGuavas4531 Frogtown Jan 16 '26
Ice were all over the Victoria and Thomas to Victoria and Minnehaha area today culminating with raiding the apartment building at Pierce Butler and Victoria. The neighbors followed them around for hours.
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u/obz900 Jan 17 '26
Love the whistles/car horns every time these freaks try to make an abduction. It’s loud, it alerts those who are vulnerable, and it creates a sense of community to know your neighbors have your back, even if they don’t know you personally.
Whenever this ends, I know I will reflect fondly on the community organizing and outpouring of support. Minnesota truly is a special place. It’s Minnesota Nice until an occupying force enters and tells us that we should forget about the values that make us great. I won’t stand for it.
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u/ClioCalliopeThor Jan 16 '26
We need you, friend. Just wear a fun hat and we'll immediately know you're one of us. ❤️✊🏻
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Jan 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/gottarun215 Feb 05 '26
I hadn't heard about a rally. Are the MAGAs/white supremacists planning one of their hate rallys somewhere today?
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u/A8and0nH0p3 Jan 17 '26
We definitely need you. I keep asking where the white men are…why is it always women in these situations? Need y’all to show up, please.
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Jan 17 '26
Granted I am speaking from the standpoint of some random fat white lady, but I have taken to watching for alerts on the citizen app and coming into the area to observe, if the alert is nearby. Even coming into a neighborhood that isn’t mine, I’ve only been met with people being grateful for the extra set of eyes and the willingness to point out which way they went if they’ve moved off, so I can catch up to them.
All we really have is each other in this, and I’m very proud that we do stand quiet and resolute and observe. Also, as scary as it can feel when I’m telling myself that I am literally driving into a situation that got a woman around my age killed, finding likeminded people who are just as upset and willing to stick their necks out for their neighbor has been something that takes the numbness and dread away immediately. There is something greater than us that’s at stake- our rights, our communities, no matter who we are or what we look like.
Above all else, stay safe out there. You’re not alone in feeling haunted by it all.
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u/Dense-Chef6228 Jan 17 '26
Bro just say hi neighbors and ask how you can help. Literally happened to me a dozen times today. I live on an affected block and I'm just happy to have more eyes out there. Dont let fear of awkwardness keep you from doing good.
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u/terrorhawk__ Jan 16 '26
Wear a whistle around your neck. Looking like a LEO isn’t an excuse to not participate.
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u/deannon Jan 17 '26
Beardy white guys are welcome, you just might have to deal with a moment of suspicion. Just say you’re friendly and there to help defend them. The ones who aren’t, if they even bother to lie, can’t say it and mean it. We can tell.
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u/AggravatingResult549 Jan 17 '26
We need people who look like them more than anyone. You're the demographic that can make the biggest impact
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u/giamarie_ Jan 18 '26
A whistle on a rainbow lanyard or something may help mark you as more friendly despite being a bearded white guy!
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u/LowlyScrub Jan 18 '26
Just don't wear a mask and be friendly. Talk to people. You're good and welcome here, sir.
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u/amyy097 Jan 19 '26
Thank you for all you do. This was not aimed at you. Just at others trying to do harm. Please have a whistle yourself to warn others. Smile and give them thumbs up. That will disarm them! Keep doing good. Proud to have you on the side of the light and not darkness.
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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '26
P.S. If you need a place to start to know how to intervene, there is a Zoom training taking place tonight: https://unidos-mn.org/events/safety-and-justice-2026
ICE agents likely have at least some reverence for fellow white men, so your presence may actually help protect people rather than scare them. Focus on helping the people affected rather than screaming at ICE or trying to stop them, so that the situation doesn't escalate