Johnnie Jae

I'm fatally optmistic because despite my pessimism on this, I still believe in WHO WE COULD BE, THE BETTER FUTURES WE COULD HAVE AND LEAVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

The question is do we choose that path of victory and creation or do we choose the path of defeat and destruction?

Accountability must happen, Change must happen in your communities every bit as much as it has to happen in ours.

I'm not optimistic about any of this happening, but WE WILL BE MET WITH THE MOMENT WHEN WE HAVE TO CHOOSE WHAT COMES NEXT.

What will your choice be?

Distancing yourself isn't enough anymore, being an ally isn't enough anymore especially now when it's your blood spilled & lives being stolen too. Making excusing that "they're from a different time" or "that's just the way they are" and "just ignore them" isn't enough anymore.

And this second step is going to be the hardest one to achieve, not for us as Black and Native folk, but for White folks this will be a true testament of where you stand because these folks are your peers, your sons, fathers, grandfathers, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, neighbors, and friends.

The second is making sure that every last person who signed off on this reign of terrorism, who's action and inaction allowed this to happen is held accountable, that every single person employed by ICE is held accountable and given no concession, not in the courtroom and not in our communities.

And we already see where this is headed because those in power who oppose ICE are calling for some goofy ass fixes such as Booker not calling for abolition but "reform", "oversight" and funding restrictions.

The ONLY first step towards justice right now is abolition.

But as Black and Native folks have warned for centuries, through advocacy, scholarship and even as friends, as neighbors and members of our local, state, national and global communities.....what you've allowed to happen to us and to others will eventually come for you too and HERE WE ARE.

It doesn't matter what Party is in power, because it's always the same...Justify. Deny. REPEAT AS NEEDED.

Funny how violence and terrorism at the hands of the US government is always justifiable, something that we should just accept or ignore, especially when its not targeting us at the moment.

It may seem pessimistic, but Black and Native folks have seen this kind of terrorism from the US government time and time again and it's been a centuries long battle to get the government to JUST acknowledge a fraction of the atrocities they inflicted.

There will ALWAYS be calls for it online, there will always be politicians who champion it until they actually get in office and then it will be like "we need grace, unity and healing....not justice" as if you can have grace, unity and healing without justice.

I'm fatally optimistic, but if there's one thing I am NOT optimistic about, one thing that I feel for certain is that after this moment passes not a single one of these corrupt politicians, not a single one of these ICE agents will be held accountable.

Videos Show Moments in Which Agents Killed a Man in Minneapolis

NYT says ICE shot him in the back:

An “agent aims his own firearm at Mr. Pretti’s back and appears to fire one shot at close range… A third agent unholsters a weapon. Both agents appear to fire additional shots into Mr. Pretti as he lies motionless… At least 10 shots appear to have been fired…”

🎁🔗

they're executing moms and nurses in the street. they're using preschoolers as bait. they're stealing people's dads and grandmas and children. they're tear gassing babies. they're staking out schools. there is no remedy but abolition. any proposal that doesn't start there is an act of violence.

Minneapolis Live Updates: Videos Appear to Contradict Federal Account of Killing

An I.C.U. nurse murdered by the Gestapo was an American citizen with no criminal record, the city police chief said. A New York Times video analysis shows he was holding a phone, not a gun.

www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...

White people in movements aren’t the first target for state violence, but it’s worth noting the long history of white people being killed when the applicable parts of the state or the Klan or whoever has enough power to turn its attention to white people who want to be in solidarity.

“Everybody Showed Up”: Stunning Crowds at Minnesota Day of Strike and Shutdown Against ICE Extreme cold didn't stop the shutdown on Friday as some 100 faith leaders were arrested, residents stayed home from work, and an estimated 50,000 or more marched through downtown Minneapolis.

I'm not one for false optimism. But what I witnessed today in Minneapolis was tremendous, both in scale and exuberance. It was a stunning answer to the federal assault on Minnesota, a show of solidarity that gives us something to hold on to during times that are unforgiving.

It's important to verify information you see being shared on social media even if just sharing it. There was an incident on threads earlier which I wrote about in this thread since the culprit is here on Bluesky

bsky.app/profile/john...

But here are things that are verifiable, there are Natives in MN and across the US being harassed by ICE. There are Natives who have been detained. ICE was present in OK for Operation Guardian but there were no raids on clinics or hospital.

Families would have come forward and we would have known names if nothing else.

What followed in regards to memorandums being send, press releases and even claims of the identities and release of the detained being withheld unless the tribe entered into a contract with DHS and ICE is also iffy.

Very unusual given they were taken from an encampment and people who live in encampments know each other and they would have been able to tell folks who had been taken or someone would have witnessed it. There's a lot of outreach being done by Native orgs & they would have known who was missing

Oglala Sioux president walks back claims of DHS pressure, member arrests The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is walking back claims of pressure and arrests he made earlier this week. The U.S.

I was asked a few times to write about the 4 unhoused Native men who were detained and I declined because I couldn't verify the Who, Where or Why of the story, no families came forward and no one saw it happen and no one knew who was taken.

apnews.com/article/ogla...

Artwork by Dale Ray Forest of Naru and her pup, Sarii from Prey inspired by the We Can Do It poster by J. Howard Miller

Artwork by Dale Ray Forest featuring ECHO doing a pop up wheelie on a motorcycle.

Artwork by Dale Ray Foresf featuring the Reservation Dogs crew inspired by album cover by Gorillaz

Artwork by Dale Ray Forest of the Crow

Here is just a small sampling of his work. Dale Ray Forest has done comic books, book covers and the branding for IndigipopX. Incredible art and all around great human, one of my favorite people on this planet. You can learn more about him or even hire him at www.daledeforest.com/about

Donate to Support a Freelance Artist in Tough Times, organized by Dale Ray Deforest Freelance life is difficult. I've been busy though. I've been busy bou… Dale Ray Deforest needs your support for Support a Freelance Artist in Tough Times

Praying to the Blueskies that someone with means sees this. There is an incredibly talented Native artist, Dale Ray Forest, who could use some help. If you are in the position to help please do so and share!

gofund.me/bc7d96347

#mutualaid #indigisky

Berlinale Panorama Selection, Árru, Leads Indigenous Cinema Alliance’s EFM 2026 Presence The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) will make its mark at the 2026 EFM and Berlinale. The lineup features amazing films and talent, led by the official Panorama selection, the Sámi musical drama Árru...

The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) will make its mark at the 2026 EFM and Berlinale. The lineup features amazing films and talent, led by the official Panorama selection, the Sámi musical drama Árru.

redpopnews.com/berlinale-pa...

Filming is currently taking place in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Toronto, with production scheduled to continue through April.

North of North Begins Next Chapter as Cameras Roll on Season Two Production is OFFICIALLY underway on season two of North of North as fans impatiently await the return to Ice Cove. The new season is being produced for APTN, CBC, and Netflix, with Red Marrow Media a...

Anna Lambe returns in the lead role, joined once again by Maika Harper, Braeden Clarke, Jay Ryan, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Zorga Qaunaq, Bailey Poching, Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds, and Keira Cooper.

redpopnews.com/north-of-nor...

#redpopnews #northofnorth

if you have photosensitivity (migraines, epilepsy)

bsky.app/profile/john...

Reposting for awareness. It's always important but particularly important now. Indigenous folks are the experts on their own tribes. Indigenous journalists have the expertise to report on Indigenous topics.

Michigan tribes warn members about ICE stops: ‘Irony maybe is the word’ - Bridge Michigan Multiple Michigan tribes issued public warnings to their citizens to carry documentation after reports that at least five Native Americans had been detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...

You can become disabled or homeless in an instant.

Even if you’re young and healthy.

Even if you have a “good job” and a back up plan.

Even if you think you’re doing everything right.

Disability and poverty are not moral failings.

They can happen to anyone.