Singing Resistance comes to Roseville
“This is for our families locked inside”
“One, two, three, eyes on me,” yelled out a tall woman holding a Love your neighbors sign. “Let’s start with a warm up.”
A crowd of about 45 people responded by singing, “zimma zimma zimma zee.” The singers were gathered in front of Makwa Coffee on Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. Their plan was to spend 60 minutes singing songs of resistance to show their solidarity to the surrounding immigrant and Native community.
Participants were recruited by word-of-mouth to attend the first official meet-up of the Singing Resistance pod representing the Roseville/Shoreview/White Bear Lake area. They met on Signal and only know each other by their Signal names. No one shares personal details or even their first names with each other, due to safety concerns.
One of the organizers, a Shoreview resident who goes by the nickname NBear, said the group is focused on nonviolence. She watched videos of other Singing Resistance gatherings and was inspired to be part of the movement. The Singing Resistance started in November 2025 in reaction to the presence of ICE agents in communities across the nation.
“I didn’t want to be alone scrolling late at night and crying,” NBear said.
NBear’s first step was reaching out to the Singing Resistance parent organization on Instagram. She then attended a 90-minute Zoom training where she learned about the organization’s purpose and how to plan events. She noticed there was not a Singing Resistance group in the Roseville/Shoreview/White Bear Lake area, so she decided it was time to start one. Over the past two weeks, she has been communicating in a Signal Chat with like-minded members to form this local pod for Saturday’s event.
As the group marched down Terrace Street, two cars rode by honking their support. Another driver showed confusion in how to navigate around the line of people. Few people were in the area besides the marchers. Most of the window blinds in the apartment complexes were closed, but two or three residents peeked out after the group passed by. No law enforcement was seen in the vicinity.
Together they sang, “This is for our families locked inside."
Listen to a clip of the group singing:
Many of the attenders said they were from the Roseville area with a few bystanders from St. Paul. The group was made up of mostly white, middle-aged people, two Latino families, and about six children. All seemed to be in an enthusiastic mood despite the 22 degree frigid temps. Organizers were prepared with protest signs for people to hold while they marched and 3D-printed whistles. Leaders were assigned to guide the group in the front and back for safety.
Attendees were encouraged to warm up in Makwa Coffee and buy a beverage to show their support for Pow Wow Grounds, a coffee shop in Minneapolis that has become a mutual aid hub supporting those affected by ICE activity.
Local Business Support
Makwa Coffee, an Indigenous and woman-owned business, was chosen as the first gathering location due to the business’s support for those impacted by ICE in the Twin Cities. The entrance features a pantry for those in need of personal supplies and food, also whistles and information for those interested in finding ways to support the immigrant community.
“Makwa is one of the businesses actually doing better since all this went to shit. As a small business owner, sometimes one goes, ‘why am I doing this?’ I have been really grateful for our community. The last six weeks have shown why we need to be here to show our support for the community," Becker-Finn told the group.
Becker-Finn said that ICE agents have been observed in the area around the strip mall where Makwa operates.
“Because we know how unpredictable and violent they can be, it has been unsettling for our customers and staff,” Becker-Finn said.
“It has also strengthened our community’s resolve to protect each other, knowing they are right here. It isn’t some imagined or far away threat when they are present in Roseville on a daily basis,” Becker-Finn said.
Joining the Singing Resistance
Singing Resistance gatherings are not publicly advertised due to the group’s desire to keep events peaceful and safe for all involved. To join, one needs to reach out to the parent organization, @SingingResistance on Instagram. Inquirers will be routed to area groups where they are then interviewed by local organizers in a three minute video conversation, to ensure the person is serious about being involved and isn’t a “bad actor.” Once someone is vetted, they are invited to communicate in a Signal chat and are introduced to the music via sound files and the “Singing Resistance” printed handbook.
Local organizers said that there are countless events happening across the Twin Cities and nation. They plan to hold another Singing Resistance event with the Roseville/Shoreview/White Bear pod again too.
Editorial note: The Roseville Reader was invited to cover this event and we agreed to keep the name of the organizer quoted anonymous for her safety.
