💌 Good News from the Resistance, December 7-13, 2025

Welcome to How to Resist, a blueprint for resistance based on nonviolence, mutual aid, and community building for ordinary people who want to save democracy.

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Dear Resisters,

This week, Trump’s immigration crackdown escalated under operations like Metro Surge and Catahoula Crunch, but communities are fighting back. In Minnesota, the Immigrant Defense Network activated a rapid-response system to monitor ICE raids and protect families. In Oregon, hundreds of students walked out of class, joined by educators who trained folks on immigrant rights. In Louisiana and Wisconsin, neighbors rallied, businesses posted “ICE is not welcome here,” and volunteers delivered food to families in hiding.

Activists in California staged an “Ice Scraper” protest at Home Depot, clogging customer service lines to demand corporate accountability. In Boston, organizers are planning an “ICE Tea Party” on December 16, paying homage to the infamous Boston Tea Party by dumping ice into Boston Harbor. In Evanston, a multi-faith vigil featured an anti-ICE nativity scene, turning faith into a call for compassion.

Health care workers in Portland rallied in scrubs to denounce ICE policies that harm patient health, and University of Colorado Boulder students demanded that their university cut ties with an airline linked to deportation flights. In the courts this week, a federal judge blocked ICE from enforcing protest restrictions outside federal buildings in Oregon, affirming First Amendment rights.

With ICE, the fight has come to us. It’s no longer something abstract happening in the White House or in Congress or somewhere else; it’s happening here, in our neighborhoods. Most of the resistance efforts I cover don’t make the national news, but they have incredible power that should not be underestimated. Community connections, networks, and grassroots organizations may be protecting communities now, but they have enormous potential to become the scaffolding upon which we build the future we want.

I say this every time, but if you haven’t found a local organization that resonates with you, whether based on policy, community care, mutual aid, faith, or advocacy, now would be a great time. There will be an ‘after’ to all of this, and community is how we will build it.

You can read about these stories and more below, and until next time, take care of yourselves and each other!

M-.

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America Resists

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Minnesota Activists Mobilize Rapid-Response Network Against ICE Crackdown
As Trump escalates immigration enforcement under “Operation Metro Surge,” Minnesota’s Immigrant Defense Network (IDN) has deployed trained volunteers to monitor ICE actions, support families, and organize protests. The coalition of over 100 groups uses rapid alerts, multilingual observers, and lobbying efforts to counter raids and challenge anti-immigrant rhetoric. Advocates emphasize Minnesota’s long tradition of immigrant support and vow to defend community members through coordinated resistance and legislative action.¹

Protesters and immigrant advocates gather at a rally for immigrants and workers outside Signature Aviation near the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. Credit: Tom Baker/AP

Students Walk Out to Protest ICE Raids and Support Immigrant Families
Hundreds of students across Washington County, Oregon, staged walkouts to protest heightened immigration enforcement after ICE arrested over 560 people in October during its “Portland sweep.” The demonstrations, sparked by fear and family separations, were supported by school districts that shared “know your rights” resources and trained staff to protect immigrant students. The Oregon Education Association also held anti-ICE trainings for educators and community members, reinforcing local resistance to federal immigration crackdowns and affirming solidarity with vulnerable families.²

Activists Stage “Ice Scraper” Protest to Challenge ICE Raids at Home Depot
In Monrovia, California, demonstrators used a symbolic tactic to protest immigration raids, buying and returning ice scrapers at Home Depot to clog customer service lines and pressure the company to denounce ICE operations on its property. Organized by the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, the action temporarily disrupted store operations and highlighted demands for corporate accountability. Activists vowed to continue similar protests, framing the effort as a stand for immigrant rights and a rejection of fear-based enforcement.³

Milwaukee Students and Community Protest ICE Facility Move
As ICE prepares to relocate its Milwaukee office to a new processing center on the city’s northwest side, students and community members staged protests against the agency’s presence. The move, part of a broader Trump administration strategy to expand enforcement operations, has sparked local resistance, with demonstrators declaring “ICE is not welcome in Wisconsin.”⁴

Forest Grove Students March Against ICE Enforcement
Hundreds of Forest Grove High School students walked out in the rain to protest local ICE activity and Trump administration immigration policies, carrying signs with messages like “Fight ignorance, not immigrants” and “Jesus was an immigrant.” The demonstration drew honks of support from passing cars and coincided with similar walkouts in nearby districts. The action comes amid a surge in ICE detentions across Oregon, with immigrant rights groups reporting 373 arrests in November, underscoring community resistance to aggressive enforcement tactics.⁵

Queens Community Rallies Against Separation of 6-year old Under Trump’s Deportation Crackdown
Hundreds gathered in Queens to protest ICE’s separation of 6-year-old Yuanxin Zheng from his father during a routine check-in, part of Trump’s aggressive deportation tactics. Organized by Indivisible and joined by local parents, union organizers, and city officials, the rally condemned family separation as cruel and un-American. Demonstrators vowed to resist policies that traumatize children and divide families, emphasizing solidarity and community action against the administration’s immigration crackdown.⁶

Advocates Demand Marin County End Cooperation with ICE
Immigrant rights groups packed a Marin County Board of Supervisors meeting to demand the sheriff’s office stop sharing detainee information with ICE, withdraw from federal programs, and halt publishing booking logs. Activists argued these practices harm hardworking community members and erode trust, calling for local leaders to resist Trump-era immigration enforcement. While the sheriff’s office says it complies with California law and limits cooperation, advocates insist the county can do more to protect immigrants from federal crackdowns.⁷

Soccer Fans Protest Trump and FIFA With “No ICE in Our Cup” Rally
Outside the Kennedy Center during the FIFA World Cup draw, activists and soccer fans braved a snowstorm to denounce Trump’s immigration policies and alleged collusion with FIFA. Organized by groups like Get Free, protesters used slogans such as “No ICE in Our Cup,” giant soccer props, and red cards condemning racist travel bans and deportations. The demonstration called on FIFA to reject white supremacy and ensure the World Cup remains a platform for equality and freedom of movement.

Louisiana Communities Mobilize Against ICE Raids Under “Catahoula Crunch”
More than 100 people protested in Metairie and New Orleans against a DHS operation targeting thousands for detention in Louisiana and Mississippi. Organized by local activists and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the rallies condemned rights violations and racial profiling, while volunteers delivered food and transported children for families in hiding. Businesses displayed “ICE is not welcome here” signs, and organizers urged constitutional rights trainings and community watch networks.⁸

Health Care Workers Rally Against ICE Policies in Portland
Over 100 health care professionals, joined by Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, protested outside Portland’s ICE facility to denounce immigration enforcement practices that they say harm patient health and community wellbeing. Organized by Doctors Defending Democracy, participants in scrubs and white coats called out intimidation and violence against immigrants seeking care, framing the crackdown as a violation of American values and public health principles.⁹ [Video]

Salt Lake City Protesters Condemn ICE Arrest at Green Card Interview
Dozens rallied outside the USCIS office in Salt Lake City after ICE detained Jair Celis during his final green card interview, a move advocates called cruel and unnecessary. Community members and immigrant rights groups organized an eight-hour protest, offering support and emergency contacts to others attending appointments.¹⁰

Evanston Vigil Uses Anti-ICE Nativity to Protest Immigration Crackdown
More than 50 people gathered outside Lake Street Church in Evanston for a multi-faith vigil opposing Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz.” The event featured an anti-ICE nativity scene symbolizing migrant struggles and included prayers from Christian and Jewish leaders calling for compassion and resistance to dehumanization. Participants honored victims of enforcement actions with a roll call and pledged solidarity, framing the protest as a moral stand against fear and cruelty.¹¹

CU Boulder Students Protest Airline’s ICE Connection, Demand Contract Cancellation
Students at the University of Colorado Boulder rallied against the school’s long-standing contract with Key Lime Air after reports revealed the airline conducted immigration enforcement flights for ICE. Protesters called on the university to end the agreement, arguing tuition funds should not support deportation operations. The demonstration, led by student activists, signals growing campus resistance to Trump-era immigration policies and vows continued pressure for institutional accountability.¹²

News Outlets Stand Firm Against Trump’s Threats Over Health Coverage
After Donald Trump called media reports on his declining health “seditious” and “treasonous,” The New York Times reaffirmed its commitment to factual reporting, stating it will not be deterred by inflammatory language. Despite Trump’s accusations and a pending $15 billion defamation lawsuit, the Times emphasized that Americans deserve transparency about the health of elected leaders.¹³

Vancouver Rally Condemns ICE Brutality After Violent Arrest
Dozens gathered at Vancouver City Hall to protest ICE’s alleged assault of Jose Paniagua Calderon, who witnesses say was dragged from his car and had his foot run over during an arrest. Organized by Indivisible Greater Vancouver and MoveOn-Clark County, the rally demanded accountability and denounced escalating enforcement tactics under Trump. Supporters launched a fundraiser for Calderon’s medical and legal costs, framing the protest as a stand against cruelty and for immigrant dignity.¹⁴

Boston Activists Plan “ICE Tea Party” to Protest Immigration Crackdowns
Boston Indivisible and Mass 50501 are organizing a symbolic protest on Dec. 16, marking the Boston Tea Party anniversary by dumping ice into Boston Harbor to denounce Trump’s immigration raids and what they call authoritarian overreach. The event aims to rally Bostonians against fear and family separations, echoing historic defiance of tyranny. Organizers hope the action will inspire continued advocacy for immigrant rights and democratic norms.¹⁵ Learn more here.

St. Paul City Council Moves to Investigate Police Response to ICE Protesters
Following public outrage over heavy-handed tactics during a November immigration enforcement protest, the St. Paul City Council passed a resolution calling for an audit of police spending and a state investigation into officers’ use of force. The council will also consider strengthening its separation ordinance to limit local cooperation with federal immigration operations.¹⁶

13 Republicans Join Democrats to Challenge Trump’s Anti-Union Order
Thirteen House Republicans broke with party leadership to join Democrats in advancing the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which seeks to repeal Trump’s March 2025 executive order restricting collective bargaining for federal workers. Led by Rep. Jared Golden through a rare discharge petition, the move signals growing bipartisan resistance to efforts that weaken labor rights. The bill, which passed an initial procedural vote 222–200, now heads toward further debate, marking a significant stand for worker protections against Trump’s anti-union agenda.¹⁷

Protesters Disrupt New Orleans City Council Over ICE Crackdown
Demonstrators interrupted a City Council meeting in New Orleans to oppose collaboration with ICE amid DHS’s “Catahoula Crunch” operation, which has led to dozens of arrests and heightened fear in immigrant communities. About 30 protesters were removed from City Hall, while local leaders reaffirmed that city police will not assist in immigration enforcement. Activists, including ACLU Louisiana, are organizing under the banner “Free the Swamp” to resist the crackdown and defend civil rights.¹⁸

South Park Creators to Trump, “Go Ahead and Sue Me”
In its season 28 Christmas special, South Park delivered a satirical showdown featuring Trump and JD Vance, ending with a pointed declaration of defiance: “Go ahead and sue me, I’m not going to be afraid anymore.” Showrunners Trey Parker and Matt Stone used the episode to reaffirm their commitment to free speech, weaving political critique into a storyline that lampooned Trump’s schemes and authoritarian tendencies.¹⁹

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Legal Resistance

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States and Unions Sue Trump Over Loan Forgiveness Restrictions
A coalition of 22 states and multiple unions, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and the American Federation of Teachers, filed lawsuits against the Trump administration for narrowing eligibility under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The new rule excludes organizations providing gender-affirming care, supporting immigrants, or promoting diversity, which critics say imposes an ideological litmus test on public servants. The lawsuits argue the change is unlawful and politically motivated, aiming to protect millions of workers from losing promised relief and to uphold the program’s bipartisan intent.²⁰

Judge Blocks ICE From Enforcing Protest Restrictions Outside Federal Buildings
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order halting DHS and ICE from enforcing new regulations that restricted protests near federal buildings in Eugene, Oregon. The lawsuit, filed by two individuals arrested during demonstrations, argued the rules violated First Amendment rights. For the next 14 days, ICE cannot enforce prohibitions on noise or other nuisances adjacent to federal property. Advocates, represented by the Civil Liberties Defense Center, hailed the ruling as a key step toward protecting free speech and plan to seek a permanent injunction.²¹

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Featured Organizations

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One of the most powerful things you can do as an individual in this moment is join an organization that is engaged in concrete actions to challenge, disrupt, and protect. This week’s news round-up features the following grassroots organizations that are turning dissent into strategic collective action. Check out these great organizations or find one near you and join today!

Immigrant Defense Network (IDN)

Party for Socialism and Liberation

Get Free

ACLU Louisiana

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Want more from How to Resist?

Check out these posts:

📌 45 Acts of Non-Compliance for Ordinary People

📌 35+ Ways America is Resisting ICE (that go beyond protest)

📌 Helping people leave MAGA

📌 Take Action: Bystander intervention

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1. https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/12/minnesotas-immigrant-advocates-organize-and-deploy-as-trump-ramps-up-ice-enforcement/

2. https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/08/washington-county-students-walkout-ice-arrests/

3. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/home-depot-ice-scraper-protests-anti-immigration-enforcement-los-angeles/

4. https://www.fox6now.com/news/ice-prepares-new-milwaukee-home-protest-current-location

5. https://forestgrovenewstimes.com/2025/12/08/forest-grove-high-students-walk-out-monday-to-protest-ice-enforcement/

6. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/nyregion/queens-migrant-boy-detained-rally.html

7. https://abc7news.com/post/immigrant-rights-groups-protest-marin-county-board-supervisors-meeting-demand-sheriffs-office-stop-cooperating-ice/18268236/

8. https://veritenews.org/2025/12/07/metairie-immigration-protest-catahoula/

9. https://www.kptv.com/2025/12/08/health-care-workers-rally-against-ice-portland-south-waterfront-facility/

10. https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/dozens-protest-ice-arrest-in-salt-lake-city-of-man-attending-final-green-card-interview

11. https://evanstonnow.com/standing-in-snow-to-protest-ice/

12. https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/cu-boulder-students-protest-university-contract-with-key-lime-air-after-report-connects-the-airline-to-ice

13. https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/newswire/news-outlets-defy-trumps-threats-blasts-factual-coverage-declining-health/

14. https://katu.com/news/local/gallery/rally-against-ice-brutality-draws-attention-to-alleged-assault-of-local-resident-by-agents-federal-immigration-customs-portland?photo=8

15. https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/12/09/boston-ice-tea-party-aims-to-take-down-tyranny-by-throwing-ice-into-harbor/

16. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/10/st-paul-city-council-calls-for-investigation-into-police-response-to-ice-protesters

17. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/13-republicans-defy-gop-leadership-vote-dems-advance-repeal-trump-order-federal-unions

18. https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/04/protests-disrupt-city-council-as-ice-crackdown-continues

19. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/11/south-park-festive-special-christmas-jd-vance-trump

20. https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_e57e0b4b-8300-4e47-a38a-6dbdf5e0ff64.html

21. https://kcby.com/news/local/judge-halts-dhs-and-ice-enforcement-of-new-protest-regulations-outside-federal-buildings