Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
@eringiglio.bsky.social
UMN postdoc of indeterminate discipline and indiscriminate interests. neurodivergence, disability, decision-making, behavioral states, gender, metabolism, leptin, queerness, computing, sexuality, politics, general yelling. I like dogs a normal amount. she
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
this particular line is maybe the best statement of purpose i have seen for those of us who want a more militant opposition to this administration
“Let us be clear: we want the power of the state. We wish to hold the criminals of the regime accountable. We wish to seize back the public funds looted by Trump and his cronies. We wish to undo the damage he has done to the government. More than any of that we wish to rebuild.”
From Powerlessness to Power
We will not achieve any of our ultimate goals without exercising state power, and the most effective way to take state power is through nonviolent but confrontational resistance.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:34 PM
this particular line is maybe the best statement of purpose i have seen for those of us who want a more militant opposition to this administration
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Even if Bovino gets fired, ICE has to go.
Even if Noem is out, ICE has to go.
Even when Trump leaves office, ICE has to go.
As protests grow and ICE's popularity drops, we may see concessions and leadership changes, like Bovino's departure. ICE still has to go.
www.cnn.com/us/live-news...
Even if Noem is out, ICE has to go.
Even when Trump leaves office, ICE has to go.
As protests grow and ICE's popularity drops, we may see concessions and leadership changes, like Bovino's departure. ICE still has to go.
www.cnn.com/us/live-news...
Live updates: Top Border Patrol official Bovino expected to leave Minneapolis as Trump sends Homan to the state | CNN
Tom Homan is headed to Minnesota after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in an encounter Saturday with federal agents deepened outrage over the Trump administration’s surge, part of its nati...
www.cnn.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Even if Bovino gets fired, ICE has to go.
Even if Noem is out, ICE has to go.
Even when Trump leaves office, ICE has to go.
As protests grow and ICE's popularity drops, we may see concessions and leadership changes, like Bovino's departure. ICE still has to go.
www.cnn.com/us/live-news...
Even if Noem is out, ICE has to go.
Even when Trump leaves office, ICE has to go.
As protests grow and ICE's popularity drops, we may see concessions and leadership changes, like Bovino's departure. ICE still has to go.
www.cnn.com/us/live-news...
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Following the Kent State massacre in May 1970, a Gallup poll showed that 58% of Americans thought the shootings were justified. The night *before* the killings, Ohio's GOP governor described the student protesters this way: "They're the worst type of people that we harbor in America."
January 26, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Following the Kent State massacre in May 1970, a Gallup poll showed that 58% of Americans thought the shootings were justified. The night *before* the killings, Ohio's GOP governor described the student protesters this way: "They're the worst type of people that we harbor in America."
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
I looked into Cities Church, which was protested for having an ICE agent as a pastor.
You already thought they were right-wing. But they're far worse than you thought.
They're ground zero for the "empathy is a sin" idea, among others.
www.salon.com/2026/01/26/p...
You already thought they were right-wing. But they're far worse than you thought.
They're ground zero for the "empathy is a sin" idea, among others.
www.salon.com/2026/01/26/p...
The pro-ICE church is worse than you think
Cities Church in St. Paul is the persecutor, not the persecuted
www.salon.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I looked into Cities Church, which was protested for having an ICE agent as a pastor.
You already thought they were right-wing. But they're far worse than you thought.
They're ground zero for the "empathy is a sin" idea, among others.
www.salon.com/2026/01/26/p...
You already thought they were right-wing. But they're far worse than you thought.
They're ground zero for the "empathy is a sin" idea, among others.
www.salon.com/2026/01/26/p...
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
I gotta say, I am so grateful to have my manitobahs as I gear up for tomorrow's march. I have all these other plans for layers on layers, but at least my feet will be toasty warm!
January 23, 2026 at 3:50 AM
I gotta say, I am so grateful to have my manitobahs as I gear up for tomorrow's march. I have all these other plans for layers on layers, but at least my feet will be toasty warm!
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
I met an absolutely lovely academic who asked whether my department back home is affected by ICE -- a question dramatizing how little info is getting out.
For the record, the small example I chose:
My dept has a carpool to pick up grad students of color who can't safely commute to campus alone.
For the record, the small example I chose:
My dept has a carpool to pick up grad students of color who can't safely commute to campus alone.
January 22, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I met an absolutely lovely academic who asked whether my department back home is affected by ICE -- a question dramatizing how little info is getting out.
For the record, the small example I chose:
My dept has a carpool to pick up grad students of color who can't safely commute to campus alone.
For the record, the small example I chose:
My dept has a carpool to pick up grad students of color who can't safely commute to campus alone.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
The kind of people who are horrified at what is happening here and find it deeply un-American are, maybe counterintuitively, the kind of people who are MORE likely than average to know and remember historic abuses. It is their determination to rise above them that gives them moral strength!
January 22, 2026 at 2:10 PM
The kind of people who are horrified at what is happening here and find it deeply un-American are, maybe counterintuitively, the kind of people who are MORE likely than average to know and remember historic abuses. It is their determination to rise above them that gives them moral strength!
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
People who say this are clearly speaking aspirationally about a shared American creed they hold dear. “Have you heard of the Trail of Tears?” is not a very helpful response, because they probably have and the priority right now is moral opposition to fascism and not fake-educating each other.
I fear my tipping point into madness is "Thus is un-American" posts in response to ICE terrorizing immigrants. I beg you to open Wikipedia (I would say a book but let's start small) and read up on The Trail of Tears, Fugitive Slave Catchers, Japanese internment, Indian Boarding schools & Jim Crow
January 22, 2026 at 2:08 PM
People who say this are clearly speaking aspirationally about a shared American creed they hold dear. “Have you heard of the Trail of Tears?” is not a very helpful response, because they probably have and the priority right now is moral opposition to fascism and not fake-educating each other.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
This is probably the most accurate description.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have basically mobilized into a war economy of mutual aid and non-violent defense. I’ve never seen anything like it, even during Covid. People who barely vote are guarding their schools from ICE and doing the shopping for neighbors in hiding.
This is so smart. I’m so impressed with all the different ways you’re helping your neighbors.
January 19, 2026 at 2:44 AM
This is probably the most accurate description.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
They expect - they NEED - the people they threaten to fall in line, like the law firms and universities and media companies and billionaires and Congress did. If you say “No, make me,” they simply do not have a Plan B. TRUMP DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH GUYS TO MAKE YOU.
January 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
They expect - they NEED - the people they threaten to fall in line, like the law firms and universities and media companies and billionaires and Congress did. If you say “No, make me,” they simply do not have a Plan B. TRUMP DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH GUYS TO MAKE YOU.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
My favorite example of pleasure activists in action right now are the folks at @smittenkittenmn.bsky.social in Minneapolis.
January 16, 2026 at 7:51 PM
My favorite example of pleasure activists in action right now are the folks at @smittenkittenmn.bsky.social in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Two things that I have not successfully conveyed to people without deep Minnesota ties are the scale and extent of the ICE occupation (a word I don't use lightly), and likewise of the community resistance.
They have quite an operation going.
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Two things that I have not successfully conveyed to people without deep Minnesota ties are the scale and extent of the ICE occupation (a word I don't use lightly), and likewise of the community resistance.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Being faculty in Minneapolis right now is a never-ending round of horrible what-ifs.
The semester starts on Tuesday. I’m terrified for the safety of my students, colleagues, & myself.
We’re trying to prioritize safety. But the fact is if people with guns show up on campus, what can we really do?
The semester starts on Tuesday. I’m terrified for the safety of my students, colleagues, & myself.
We’re trying to prioritize safety. But the fact is if people with guns show up on campus, what can we really do?
January 16, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Being faculty in Minneapolis right now is a never-ending round of horrible what-ifs.
The semester starts on Tuesday. I’m terrified for the safety of my students, colleagues, & myself.
We’re trying to prioritize safety. But the fact is if people with guns show up on campus, what can we really do?
The semester starts on Tuesday. I’m terrified for the safety of my students, colleagues, & myself.
We’re trying to prioritize safety. But the fact is if people with guns show up on campus, what can we really do?
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
This is an Underground Railroad style operation. This is what I mean that we should study UR history, tactics, and strategy.
They have quite an operation going.
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:02 PM
This is an Underground Railroad style operation. This is what I mean that we should study UR history, tactics, and strategy.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Just so people outside of MN know - a lot of the US citizens getting “arrested” by ICE never get processed at Whipple. They are roughed up during the arrest and then often dropped off miles from where they were picked up. It means we don’t know the true scale of what ICE is doing based on ICE stats
January 15, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Just so people outside of MN know - a lot of the US citizens getting “arrested” by ICE never get processed at Whipple. They are roughed up during the arrest and then often dropped off miles from where they were picked up. It means we don’t know the true scale of what ICE is doing based on ICE stats
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
The other thing is, in 2020, the locus of anger was internal, which is destabilizing. But this time, we ARE UNDER ATTACK. We are INVADED. All my neighbors are friends. All the feds are the enemy. No one wants to turn their rage on local streets or businesses; we are, specifically, protecting them.
January 15, 2026 at 5:18 PM
The other thing is, in 2020, the locus of anger was internal, which is destabilizing. But this time, we ARE UNDER ATTACK. We are INVADED. All my neighbors are friends. All the feds are the enemy. No one wants to turn their rage on local streets or businesses; we are, specifically, protecting them.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Another critical piece of missing context in this story: tax dollars flow from the MSP metro to rural Minnesota. People in the city subsidize the lifestyles of people living in the country minnesotareformer.com/2023/12/04/t...
January 15, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Another critical piece of missing context in this story: tax dollars flow from the MSP metro to rural Minnesota. People in the city subsidize the lifestyles of people living in the country minnesotareformer.com/2023/12/04/t...
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota though it’s not clear how that would change anything on the ground.
He’s already deployed thousands of masked men to terrorize the community. I guess if he used the military those troops would be wearing fewer masks?
He’s already deployed thousands of masked men to terrorize the community. I guess if he used the military those troops would be wearing fewer masks?
January 15, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota though it’s not clear how that would change anything on the ground.
He’s already deployed thousands of masked men to terrorize the community. I guess if he used the military those troops would be wearing fewer masks?
He’s already deployed thousands of masked men to terrorize the community. I guess if he used the military those troops would be wearing fewer masks?
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
Hard agree. If Dems aren’t willing to put their bodies on the line in this moment, they’re not showing the same courage as the people they are supposed to be leading
It’s time to demand our leaders and politicians stop talking about non-violence, and start demonstrating more physical courage by DOING non-violence in the streets.
So far, all the courage has come from ordinary people, and almost none from our leaders and politicians.
January 15, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Hard agree. If Dems aren’t willing to put their bodies on the line in this moment, they’re not showing the same courage as the people they are supposed to be leading
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
I did tell my mom at the time that I was more likely to get shot in the US, but still: it's wild how much safer I was in Mali in 2016 than I am in Minnesota in 2026
January 15, 2026 at 2:06 PM
I did tell my mom at the time that I was more likely to get shot in the US, but still: it's wild how much safer I was in Mali in 2016 than I am in Minnesota in 2026
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
To the people out of state who keep saying “why won’t the local cops stop ICE” you need to understand that ICE is overwhelmingly the largest force on the ground in Minneapolis. They outnumber Minneapolis cops four to one. They’re more likely to stop the cops than the other way around
The Star Tribune had an insane graphic about the presence of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. There are more immigration officers in the metro right now than local police officers.
January 15, 2026 at 12:25 PM
To the people out of state who keep saying “why won’t the local cops stop ICE” you need to understand that ICE is overwhelmingly the largest force on the ground in Minneapolis. They outnumber Minneapolis cops four to one. They’re more likely to stop the cops than the other way around
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
A big thing that was intensely evident while I was reporting this piece:
In parts of Minneapolis, DHS/ICE is everywhere.
And so, too, are the volunteers pushing back against them — standing on virtually every street corner.
In parts of Minneapolis, DHS/ICE is everywhere.
And so, too, are the volunteers pushing back against them — standing on virtually every street corner.
January 14, 2026 at 11:55 PM
A big thing that was intensely evident while I was reporting this piece:
In parts of Minneapolis, DHS/ICE is everywhere.
And so, too, are the volunteers pushing back against them — standing on virtually every street corner.
In parts of Minneapolis, DHS/ICE is everywhere.
And so, too, are the volunteers pushing back against them — standing on virtually every street corner.
Reposted by Dr. Erin Giglio 🏳️🌈
The Hmong are here because they fought for the US in a war we lost.
"“They specifically asked me if I knew where the Hmong families lived on my street & in the neighborhood.” Lugert-Thom responded, “I don’t know anything about that” & she said they then asked, “Well, what about the Asian families?”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
A St. Paul resident says federal officers knocked on her door and asked her to identify Hmong and Asian households in her North End neighborhood last week.
January 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
The Hmong are here because they fought for the US in a war we lost.