MTI United Representative Council Supports Minnesota 15

MTI United Representative Council Supports Minnesota 15 // News // September 18th, 2026

Resolution of Labor Movement Support for the Minnesota 15

September 15, 2026

Whereas, during the winter of 2025-2026 working class people across the United States and across the world watched the people of Minnesota bravely protect their neighbors through resistance to a brutal occupation of federal immigration agents;

Whereas, in the early morning of June 16th, 2026 the federal government arrested activists and community members from the Twin Cities. They arrested union members, teachers, healthcare workers, carpenters, and electricians. They arrested organizers of the mass strike on January 23rd and community members who put themselves on the line to defend their neighbors and take a stand against ICE terror;

Whereas, 15 activists have been charged with “conspiracy to impede federal officers,” and are described as “members of Antifa groups” by the federal government. The charges include making anti-ICE statements online, planning and attending anti-ICE protests, and engaging in rapid response and mutual aid to defend our immigrant neighbors;

Whereas, if these charges are upheld, they could criminalize every person who participates in collective action such as rapid response, immigrant defense, mutual aid, and school patrols, in Minnesota and beyond. This could include MTI members for their role in organizing a sanctuary school campaign with Voces de la Frontera, and for organizing a one-day school shutdown on May Day in solidarity with immigrant rights. The implications of such will extend far beyond these defendants and criminalize efforts to resist an increasingly authoritarian federal government;

Whereas, if these charges are upheld, they could legitimize further acts of racist state violence including police brutality and embolden the repression of protestors, such as how the Madison Police Department violently executed Corey Ruiz and responded with overly-militarized force to those protesting his murder;

Whereas, the federal government’s portrayal of the defendants stands in stark contrast to the reality that Minnesotans experienced during months of federal occupation: that throughout that period, residents were subjected to repeated acts of violence, intimidation, and repression;

Whereas, these charges are part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration to punish anti-ICE activists for their fierce and ongoing resistance. It follows similar raids targeting anti-fascist, Black voting rights, and pro-Palestine activists in Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio; 

Therefore be it resolved, that Madison Teachers Inc. stands in unwavering solidarity with the Minnesota 15 defendants, and all those that face state repression for practicing their right to resist and protest;

There be it resolved, that Madison Teachers Inc. share our solidarity resolution with Wisconsin Education Association Council, as well as Education Minnesota and Minneapolis Federation of Educators, in order to remain in contact about future actions to support the Minnesota 15 defendants;

Be it further resolved that we demand the following:

  1. ICE Out of Our Communities!
  2. Return the Abducted & Deported – Reunite the Families!
  3. Drop the Charges Against All Anti-ICE Protesters!
  4. Justice for Renee, Victor, Alex, Keith, Lorenzo, Joan, and All Victims of ICE Violence.