By now, you’ve certainly seen videos circulating of protesters in the streets of Minnesota, holding up protest signs, bundled in warm winter gear — not shouting, but singing.
The group is led by an organization called Singing Resistance and has gained popularity after clips of their protest tune “It’s Okay To Change Your Mind” have gone viral, with lyrics urging United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to quit their jobs.
In addition to singing on stage with Brandi Carlile at a recent concert, and sharing a digital songbook of protest hymns that are being practiced in churches and community centers in cities across the country, Singing Resistance has taken this opportunity to mobilize other anti-authoritarian protesters to action.
The group is hosting a nationwide day of song this weekend.
On Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, the group is hosting sing-in protests across the country. While it’s unclear how many separate events will be held, there are now 95 city chapters of Singing Resistance in the U.S. — and one in Canada.
More of a “weekend of action” than just a single day, the group states its goals are to “further spread and deepen the practice of singing throughout U.S. social movements.”
It appears most events are being coordinated around what the group calls “sites of ICE-related violence,” such as Dilley Detention Center in Texas, or in corporate locations that have contracts with ICE.
According to a toolkit from the group, Singing Resistance also hopes to bring large numbers of people into their movement, and like all of their demonstrations, encourage “healing from the impacts of living in an oppressive society.”
“Singing Resistance is building a mass movement of singers to protect and care for our communities in the face of rising authoritarianism. We are grounded in love, nonviolence, and solidarity,” the group shared in a social media post.
“We sing publicly in the streets for the sake of solace, strength, solidarity, to voice our dissent, and to refuse cooperation with oppressive and autocratic forces.”
While the group has grown to prominence in the face of ICE operations in Minnesota, its efforts stem from long-held singing practices in the Civil Rights Movement, Indigenous resistance movements, and Otpor!, a Serbian resistance movement that urged defection among officers carrying out authoritarian orders.
To prepare for the weekend of action, hosts are convening for song training and practices, and a detailed toolkit is being disseminated among organizers and participants.
Inside the toolkit, Singing Resistance clearly outlines its core messages.
First, they say to the forces they are protesting: “We are loving people, and we are here to bear witness to the violence that has occurred or is occurring at this site. We won't be silent while this violence occurs.”
And to their communities of singers, they proclaim: “We belong to each other. We stand in solidarity with every one of our family members, community members, neighbors who is targeted by the authoritarian state. If you come for one of us, you come for all of us.”
Those interested in joining in a Weekend of Song action can learn more by following Singing Resistance on social media or connecting with a local chapter.
You may also like: Brandi Carlile performs 'It's Okay To Change Your Mind' with Singing Resistance in Minnesota
Header image courtesy of Steve Olsen/Facebook
