An Alternative in Minnesota and Elsewhere

In addition to confronting directly improper actions of Federal agents, contemplate pressuring Republicans across your state.  That’s every state, not just Minnesota.  The pressure should be entirely non-threatening and entirely legal.  A useful start is creating a public list of all the Republican politicians in the state, most notably the large number of what are in my state called city and town party committeemen.  

The pressure is public criticism and public shaming, criticism in social media and elsewhere.  The criticism has to be polite but personal “John Smith, why are you supporting the kidnapping of American citizens?” Signs such as “Republicans should be ashamed of themselves”, with a list of names, comes to mind.  Warning people on a block or two that their neighbor is an active Republican, and that they should keep their children away and safe from him, comes to mind.

There is a face side to this.  If there are efforts to reform ICE, to improve ICE training so that its members stop disgracing their country, they should be supported, and people pushing for reforms should be encouraged.

Readers would find it of interest to learn about the Norwegian response to World War II German occupation of Norway.  Shunning and social ostracism of supporters can be effective.   In Norway, there was a 30 minute halt in which all traffic and work came to a stop.