On February 15th, community group Gardeners of Resistance revealed their first posters of their 12 month billboard campaign aimed at protesting Immigrant and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, in the Twin Cities, and the actions taken by the Trump Administration.

The billboards were initially installed on February 2nd, with them planned to be presented the following week, but this was soon postponed after word of other community groups holding a memorial to those murdered by ICE. However, by the next week, everything was a go.

“Billboards allow us to communicate a message to everyone passing by even when our members aren’t on the corner with signs,” said Emily Goodhue, one of the group’s founders, referring to the group’s weekly protests.

Although it began as a community gardening group, it rapidly became a network of neighbors who came together with concern over what they expressed as the country’s increasingly authoritarian actions. “We have to use many forms of outreach to connect with all the people,” said another founder, Jeff Austin. “Our main goal is to activate community members to get involved in resisting fascism in the U.S.”

While the current billboards refer to ICE and their recent enforcement actions in the Twin Cities, Goodhue emphasized their continued importance even as enforcement activity has changed.

“Getting most ICE agents out is a good first step towards ending fascism in the United States,” she said, “Since the Trump regime took office, the U.S. has been checking more and more of the boxes of what makes a fascist country. We must continue to build momentum and people power in the resistance against the fascism that is impacting our neighbors and our nation, of which the ICE surge is simply one iteration.”

According to Goodhue, the current billboards will be up for another six to eight weeks, but the group is already generating other designs.

“We welcome community input about what would be most impactful,” she said, noting that once replaced, they will be offered to local businesses for the opportunity as protest signage in public spaces for display.

“We are still reaching out to artists that share our goals,” Austin added, “and offering to make the panels available for their messaging as well, so we are still unsure of what the next ones will be.”

To ensure that the project continues, the group is also in need of community funding. Those interested in contributing can contact Emily Goodhue, Jeff Austin or [email protected].