Protesters at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis hold signs supporting immigrants and protesting ICE.

Operation Metro Surge and the Anti-ICE Marches, December 2025

Federal immigration enforcement under Operation Metro Surge brought marchers from Mercado Central to Karmel Mall on December 20

December 2025 · 31 photographs

2025
Metro Transit E Line on Hennepin AvenueView full post: Metro Transit E Line on Hennepin Avenue
December 9, 2025 — A Metro Transit E Line bus passes the Hennepin & 25th Street station on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis during a heavy snowfall.
Snowy Nicollet Avenue at East 31st Street with Minneapolis downtown skyline in background.View full post: Snowy Nicollet Avenue at East 31st Street Toward Downtown Minneapolis
December 15, 2025 — Nicollet Avenue runs north through south Minneapolis toward the downtown skyline, crossing East 31st Street along the way. Snow covers the roadway and boulevard as traffic moves toward downtown, where the IDS Center and Wells Fargo Center stand among the taller buildings.
Protesters with illuminated signs on County Road 3 in Hennepin County during a winter roadside protest.View full post: “Signs of Fascism” Protest Sign Along Lake Street
December 15, 2025 — Protesters stand along a snowy cold Lake Street in Minneapolis. Protesters holding signs such as "Signs of Fascism".
Frozen Bde Maka Ska Dog WalkView full post: Boat Storage Racks Along the Shore of Bde Maka Ska
December 15, 2025 — Boat storage racks and a lakeside building stand along the snowy shore of Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis, as a woman walks her dog on the frozen lake in the distance.
Bricksworth Beer and Pizza in MinneapolisView full post: Bricksworth Beer Co. Patio Sign in the North Loop
December 16, 2025 — The Bricksworth Beer Co. sign marks the entrance to the restaurant’s patio in the North Loop district of downtown Minneapolis.
Notice at Karmel Mall on Lake Street warns of ICE presence.View full post: Whistle Warning Sign for ICE Activity at Karmel Mall
December 16, 2025 — A notice posted on the door of Karmel Mall on Lake Street in Minneapolis explains a whistle symbol used as a community warning about nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. The sign tells passersby that the whistle is meant to alert neighbors to stay aware and cautious when ICE is in the area, particularly when leaving the building.
Posters advocating for Somali neighbors and immigrant rights are affixed to an electrical box on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.View full post: “Know Your Rights” Posters on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis
December 16, 2025 — Posters supporting immigrant rights are attached to utility control boxes on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. The messages during Operation Metro Surge read “Protect Our Somali Neighbors,” “Immigrants Are Not The Enemy,” and “Know Your Rights".
Daisys Uptown bar exterior at night, with red neon signs and snow along the curbView full post: Papered Windows at the Former Daisy’s Bar in Uptown
December 16, 2025 — Paper over the windows of the former Daisys Bar at Lagoon and Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis.
Thousands protest ICE actions on Lake Street in Minneapolis, December 20, 2025.View full post: Minneapolis Protest Against ICE on Lake Street, December 20, 2025
December 20, 2025 — Protesters march along Lake Street in south Minneapolis on December 20, 2025, during a protest and march against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Signs reading “Immigrants Are Not the Problem,” “ICE Out,” and other anti-deportation messages.
Protesters in Minneapolis hold signs opposing ICE during sub-zero temperatures.View full post: “It’s Time to De-Ice” Sign at Minneapolis ICE Protest
December 20, 2025 — A large protest and march on Lake Street in South Minneapolis with signs reading “Minnesotans Know ICE Is Slippery and Dangerous It’s Time to De-Ice!,” “ICE Out!,” and “No ICE".
Protesters hold signs on Lake Street in Minneapolis during a demonstration against ICE.View full post: “Kids Can’t Learn in Fear” Sign at Lake Street ICE Protest
December 20, 2025 — Protesters march on Lake Street in Minneapolis during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with one participant holding a sign reading, “Stop traumatizing our students! Kids can’t learn in fear.” The protest took place during Operation Metro Surge, a period of increased ICE activity in the region.
Protester holds "ICE OUT MSP" sign at Minneapolis demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.View full post: “ICE Out MSP” Sign Raised at Winter Protest in Minneapolis
December 20, 2025 — A protester in Minneapolis holds a sign reading “ICE OUT MSP” during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Other bundled-up participants and protest signs are visible behind her, indicating the rally took place in very cold winter conditions.
Protesters in Minneapolis hold anti-ICE signs during a winter march.View full post: “Immigrants Welcome” and “Burn ICE” Signs at Minneapolis Protest
December 20, 2025 — Protesters march in Minneapolis during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with handmade signs including “BURN ICE” and “IMMIGRANTS WELCOME” visible above the crowd.
Protesters in Minneapolis hold signs including “I.C.E. Naughty and Not Nice” during a winter march.View full post: “ICE Naughty and Not Nice” Sign at Lake Street Protest
December 20, 2025 — Protesters march on Lake Street in Minneapolis during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with a holiday-themed sign reading “I.C.E. Naughty and Not Nice”.
Protesters outside V & Lake St Station in Minneapolis hold signs reading "ICE OUT" during a rally.View full post: “ICE Out” Sign Raised Outside V & Lake St Station in Minneapolis
December 20, 2025 — Protesters gather outside V & Lake St Station in Minneapolis during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Signs reading “ICE OUT” and other messages are visible in front of the station entrance, a major Metro Transit hub linking light rail and bus service on Lake Street. The protest took place during Operation Metro Surge, an ICE enforcement initiative, as participants assembled in below-freezing winter conditions.
Protesters at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis hold signs supporting immigrants and protesting ICE.View full post: “Immigrants Make America Great” Sign Near Karmel Mall
December 20, 2025 — Protesters march near Karmel Mall on Lake Street at Pillsbury Avenue in south Minneapolis during a demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Karmel Mall is a major commercial center for Minneapolis’s Somali community.
American flag protest at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis.View full post: American Flag Near Karmel Mall on Lake Street
December 20, 2025 — Karmel Mall on East Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown behind traffic lights and directional signs, with an American flag in the foreground. The shopping center is a major commercial hub for the city’s Somali community.
Protesters at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis hold American and Somali flags during a demonstration against ICE.View full post: American and Somali Flags Raised Outside Karmel Mall
December 20, 2025 — Protesters gather outside Karmel Mall on Lake Street in Minneapolis during a demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Flags of the United States, Palestine, and Somalia fly at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis.View full post: American, Palestinian, and Somali Flags Outside Karmel Mall
December 20, 2025 — Flags of the United States, Palestine, and Somalia fly outside Karmel Mall on Lake Street in Minneapolis. The mall is a major shopping center and gathering place for the city’s Somali community.
Protesters gather at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis to protest ICE policies.View full post: Marchers Enter Karmel Mall’s Lobby During Anti-ICE Protest
December 20, 2025 — Protesters enter the lobby of Karmel Mall in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an anti-ICE march on December 20. The gathering was tied to opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to rhetoric aimed at the local Somali community, with marchers moving along Lake Street from Mercado Central to Karmel Mall.
Protesters gather inside Karmel Mall in Minneapolis during a march against ICE.View full post: Crowded Interior of Karmel Mall During Lake Street Protest March
December 20, 2025 — Following a large protest down Lake Street, the community filled the Karmel Mall to support businesses that have been impacted by immigration enforcement.
Protestors at Hamdi Coffee in Minneapolis, marching to protest ICE actions.View full post: “Families Belong Together” Sign Inside Karmel Mall
December 20, 2025 — Protesters gather inside Karmel Mall outside Hamdi Coffee in Minneapolis during an anti-ICE march on December 20. Karmel Mall is a major center for Somali-owned businesses in the city, and the protest was organized in response to immigration enforcement and rhetoric affecting Somali and other immigrant communities.
A man in a frog costume fist bumps another man inside a barbershop in Minneapolis.View full post: Frog Costume Fist Bump at a Karmel Mall Barbershop
December 20, 2025 — A man in an inflatable frog costume fist-bumps a barber inside a shop at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis during an anti-ICE march. The demonstration moved through the city on a cold day, beginning at Mercado Central and ending at Karmel Mall on Lake Street.
Shoppers browse perfumes at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis, a hub for the Somali community.View full post: Browsing Perfume Shelves at Karmel Mall
December 20, 2025 — Shoppers browse perfumes and fragrances inside Karmel Mall in Minneapolis. The indoor market is a major commercial center for the city’s Somali community, with small retailers selling imported goods, clothing, food, and personal care products.
A banner reading "Neighbors Say ICE Out!" is displayed on Lake Street in Minneapolis.View full post: “Neighbors Say ICE Out!” Sign Along Lake Street Traffic
December 27, 2025 — A handmade “Neighbors Say ICE Out!” banner is posted along Lake Street in Minneapolis on December 27, 2025. The message expresses neighborhood opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A snowman holding a protest sign reading "Love Thy Neighbor — Resist" stands in Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis.View full post: Snowman Holds “Love Thy Neighbor Resist” Sign in Powderhorn Park
December 27, 2025 — A snowman holding a hand-lettered sign reading “Love Thy Neighbor Resist” during Operation Metro Surge.
A sticker protesting ICE operations is affixed to a street pole in South Minneapolis.View full post: “Kick I.C.E. Out of This Place” Sticker Near George Floyd Square
December 27, 2025 — An anti-ICE sticker is affixed to a street pole in South Minneapolis. The printed design combines an image of the Virgin Mary with the text “Hail Mary Full of Grace Kick I.C.E. Out of This Place,” using Catholic prayer language to oppose U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The sticker was photographed near George Floyd Square during a period of visible local resistance to federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
A Metro Transit bus passes a George Floyd mural at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis.View full post: Route 38G Bus Passes George Floyd Mural at Unity Foods
December 27, 2025 — A Metro Transit Route 38G bus passes Unity Foods and a mural of George Floyd at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. George Floyd Square, at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became a memorial and organizing site after Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police in May 2020.
A sign in Minneapolis, Minnesota, states "Federal Agents Not Permitted on Premises," requiring a warrant for entry.View full post: “Federal Agents Not Permitted on Premises” Sign in Minneapolis
December 27, 2025 — A sign posted on a snowbank in Minneapolis, Minnesota, states that federal agents, including ICE, DEA, and ATF personnel, are not permitted on the property without a valid warrant. The notice placed in late December as thousands of federal agents arrived in Minneapolis.
Signs on a Minneapolis business window state "No ICE or CBP Access" and "Everyone Is Welcome Here! Except I.C.E."View full post: “No ICE or CBP Access” Signs in Minneapolis
December 27, 2025 — Signs posted on the front window of Monarca in Minneapolis, Minnesota, state that the business will not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection agents to enter without a judicial warrant. The notices describe the premises as private property, say administrative warrants are not valid there, and add that “Everyone Is Welcome Here! Except I.C.E.” Photographed in late December 2025, the display identifies the restaurant’s policy toward federal immigration enforcement and asserts constitutional protections for people inside the business regardless of immigration status.
Graffiti reading "Stop The Occupation" on a stop sign in South Minneapolis.View full post: “Stop the Occupation” Painted on a Minneapolis Stop Sign
December 31, 2025 — A stop sign in South Minneapolis bears the words “Stop the Occupation,” painted across its lower half. The paint first appeared on stop signs referring to the Palestinian occupation.

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