David Brauer shares 'Welcome to the American Winter' by Robert F. Worth
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The Atlantic Magazine just dropped a tremendous story on the Minnesota Resistance. The author is a war correspondent & sees the echoes of leaderless community empowerment around the globe: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202... (supposed to be a gift link, might not work, it's in Apple News, too.)
Engagement: 2,202 likes, 818 reposts, 76 quotes, 36 replies.
Referenced article: "Welcome to the American Winter"
Author: Robert F. Worth (contributing writer at The Atlantic, former New York Times bureau chief) Published: January 25, 2026 (updated January 29, 2026)
Long-form on-the-ground reportage from Minneapolis in early 2026, documenting a decentralized, community-organized resistance against a massive federal immigration enforcement surge ("Operation Metro Surge").
Key details from the article: - Six-car ICE convoy swarmed by protesters using coordinated tactics: identical whistles, chants, networked via Signal - Described as "meticulous urban choreography of civic protest" built on networks from the 2020 George Floyd uprising - Profiles ordinary citizens (teachers, retirees, driving instructors, clergy) who underwent legal-observer training and role-playing exercises to confront armed federal agents nonviolently - Draws parallels to the 2011 Arab Spring (Tahrir Square): leaderless movement organized by neighborhood via encrypted chat - Two fatal shootings by federal agents: Renee Good (shot in the face, January 7) and Alex Pretti (ICU nurse, shot at point-blank range, January 24) - 65,000 Minnesotans trained as of January 2026; clergy, churches, suburban residents joined in large numbers - Economic crisis: immigrant-owned businesses saw sales drop up to 80%, schools went virtual
Outcome: By February 13, 2026, the federal "Operation Metro Surge" was formally ended — widely seen as a victory for the resistance.
Notable replies
- Ian Coldwater (@lookitup.baby): "Damn." (12 likes)
- Sara (@saralovesyou.bsky.social): "That was really good. It hurts to read though." (76 likes)
- Jaye (@jbaritsu.bsky.social): "The community organizing that happened after George Floyd's murder is crucial context." (4 likes)
- AuntSophie (@auntsophie.bsky.social): "Minnesota is to the rest of the US as Ukraine is to Europe. They are fighting our war." (50 likes)
- Tim Buktu (@mntimbuktu.bsky.social): "I am the Chad in this story and I think Dave can attest to the fact that I am, in fact, nothing special or unique in any way. All of us are doing what we can." (5 likes)
- Chris Rabbit (@christopherrabbit.bsky.social): "Atlantic has been washing for this administration since the jump. Don't care how many good stories they do now, they will always be on the other side." (9 likes)
- Sinboy (@sinboy.bsky.social): "There has to be a better place for this to get published. The Atlantic is a cesspool." (3 likes)