RESPONSE TO US FEDERAL VIOLENCE

Here are Metro Justice news and events for the week of 1/9/2026

RESPONSE TO US FEDERAL VIOLENCE

This is another of those weeks where the newsletter comes out a bit late, because of the news that is in it. Last Saturday a coalition of organizers from across Rochester congratulated themselves on bringing together a crowd of nearly 200 people on just a few hours’ notice, after Trump’s newly renamed Department of War carried out the abduction by violence of the President of Venezuela and his wife. Yesterday [Thursday] evening over 800 people gathered to protest Wednesday’s shooting by ICE of a civilian in her car, and the subsequent vicious defamation of the victim by administration officials attempting to shift blame away from their disastrous deportation policies and procedures. These two incidents are different in many ways and will be looked at individually below. But they share a common thread of dramatically escalated US federal violence, in both cases rising to the legal definition of terrorism (“violent or dangerous acts violating federal/state law, intended to intimidate or coerce civilians/government, or influence policy through intimidation, coercion, assassination, or kidnapping, often with political/social motives”) and obfuscated by vigorous federal assertions that the actions were legal. President Trump, when asked by a NY Times reporter about the limits of his personal power as president, responded on record “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me.” How do we respond to that assertion from a sitting President? 

First, let’s look at the context and some details of the two latest outrages. This article, written by a volunteer, cannot pretend to wide or deep coverage, but will share a few resources supplied by friends and MJ staff. Regarding Venezuela, it is already clear that while Maduro was a dictator (the pretext for his abduction), no attempt is being made to dismantle his repressive regime. Instead it will, if Trump gets his way, and using his simplified language, be pressed into service to create profit from increased oil exploitation. (Just what the planet needs right now.) “…And that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”.  To learn more about the Venezuelan economic debacle, you may refer to our book of the week, William Neumann’s Things are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse. Gabriel Hetland’s article in The Intercept about the coup details the apparent motivations of US leadership and how their actions may play out in unplanned ways in South America. But for current analysis of how it fits into larger US foreign policy, Tuesday’s article by Owen Jones in the Guardian explicates Trump’s new “Donroe Doctrine” dividing the world into spheres of imperial influence. Owen’s interest is in how this confirms the end of the US hegemony, and in how the historical precept that the logical conclusion of imperialism is despotism yields terrifying predictions for the next world order, with the collapse of NATO (after Trump seizes Greenland) and no great power (in Trump’s world at least, where Russia is elevated but Europe is ignored) willing to offer even token support to law and order as a the better alternative to might making right.

Regarding the tragedy in Minneapolis we are each thrown back on our own observations, since the administration that caused the situation has taken charge of investigating it and is sharing no evidence and no credible conclusions. As far as I can determine from bystander videos, informal comments of bystanders and friends, and journalists' research, Renee Good, a member of the Minneapolis group ICE Watch, was shot and killed in her car while trying to pull away from several ICE officers, by one officer who last year was injured when his arm caught in the window of a fleeing vehicle and he was dragged some distance. It is clear from the videos that Good was not attempting to hit anyone (despite administration claims) and that the shooter was in no personal danger, but could have been triggered by the fact that his partner’s arm was stretched through the window as the car pulled away. So much for the immediate facts on the ground. The distortions and smears immediately unleashed by the administration are an ugly but unsurprising attempt to deflect blame to the civilian victim, away from its own ICE “surge” intentionally placing heavily armed and nervous militants in direct conflict with unarmed and largely untrained (by comparison with the military) but passionate civilians, in residential neighborhoods across the country. It is this intent that I describe as terrorist at the head of this article. Jonathan Ross, the man who shot Renee, may or may not feel badly about it (though shooting civilians in the course of duty is frequently more traumatic than sustaining injuries) and may or may not be prosecuted or convicted of a crime, depending on how successful the administration is in bending the supposedly impartial justice system to its will, and how a judge and jury may feel constrained to interpret the various laws in place. But the crime in this tragedy is putting Jonathan Ross, with his memories and his gun, in front of Renee Good, with her desire to help stop the invasion of her city and the abduction of her neighbors. A google search will turn up many analyses of this evolving situation and there’s a good WXXI article on last night’s demonstration in Rochester, at which I counted (by fives, walking along the street, probably undercounting) 800 participants. It is disturbing that after the hundreds of people (many of them mothers or children) already killed by ICE - during capture, in detention, or after being forcibly deported into danger - the killing that brings us all out within a day is of a white woman on a suburban street. But our hearts bleed for her family as well as the many others.

And hell, whatever it takes to get us out. How many of us are paralyzed by the pace of events in America’s latest descent into fascism? Hundreds of us responded to these two fresh proofs of Trump’s intent (piled onto the destruction of our government and institutions) by coming out into the street and shouting. And that’s a crucial start. The No Kings and similar rallies that have been organized across the country over the past year (to get connected to these, check out Indivisible and 50501)  have also motivated people to take some action, any action, and to begin to feel the power of numbers. Some have been inclined to denigrate these rallies as having insufficient focus to make change, but that is not, in fact, their purpose. Their purpose is to get people started (How many times have you heard “I’ve never been out to anything like this before, but…”), and to practice mobilizing. Defeating any fascist government, much less that of the USA, will take far more work, by far more people, than any of us can imagine (please don’t try, that way lies more paralysis). Seeing thousands of people out in the street with you is helping to limber up our imaginations, and wake our resolve.  

The next crucial step is for people to find their niche and develop the abilities that will allow them to contribute significantly to the effort. Organizing takes lots of phone calls, lots of data entry, lots of planning, lots of persuasion, emails, social media, graphic and program artistry, lots of donations. No one can do it all, but it is time for everyone to pick one, try it out, make mistakes and correct them. Remember how many marshals there were at last night’s demonstration? They were crucial, were trained in that work, had practiced at other big demonstrations and will be working again soon. What will you do? The best way to find out is to join a group, pay the dues, and get active. That will take rearranging of schedules, and even priorities, for some of us. But if not now, when? There is a list of organizations at the end of this article, each linking straight to the page to join up. If you’re not already a member of one, pick one tonight!

And the other crucial step to mention right now is for us organizations to get ourselves organized. Toppling the current administration will take the work of all of us, including those whose approach we don’t approve of or that we think is silly. There is a great blog post on this by Margaret Killjoy, a fine organizer and podcaster (check out Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff). During the planning leading up to last night’s demonstration a question was raised about whether to consider using violence, even bringing guns. A firm decision was made not to do so, in line with the stated principles of most of the organizations involved - and that was the right call. I did not know until I saw the WXXI article that the office at 171 Pattonwood was packed with heavily armed men last night, the whole time we were there. Had they seen a gun in the crowd when they peeked out at the beginning of the evening, it could have ended very differently. That said, even such basic strategic decisions as whether to use violence, aim locally or nationally, or even what “revolution” means are not the ones that will make or break a revolution. The difference that makes the difference is whether the groups involved will stick together, keep going, keep in touch, and keep supporting each other as best they can, through thick and thin. As Kiljoy points out, the tried and tested way to break a rebellion is to get all the disparate people and groups involved bickering over aims, strategy and tactics until they won’t work together. So we must not expect to form a perfect and aligned coalition. Or a centralized one. But it does need to be one whose members are talking to one another, and are willing to pick each other up when we’re down. There are already fora developing for leaders of many different Rochester organizations to talk to each other and plan together - there’s no list of these here, for security reasons. But every time we do something together, we get stronger. If you want to get your group connected, click here.

This is already a lot longer than the articles usually to be found in this weekly newsletter! And it’s enough political commentary for now. But think hard about how you want to help move our country onto a better course. What issues move you? What are you good at? How much time can you realistically set aside each day, or week, or month, to learn more, join a group effort, and develop your civic knowledge and skills? Then join a group and work hard. There are people who want to work with you.

• Metro Justice  member-driven grassroots organization training people in Rochester for 60 years to fight for justice and equity in our city 
• 50501 RocNY grassroots organization that prioritizes community and mutual aid in order to mobilize against fascism. There is also a Brockport chapter
• Rochester DSA multi-issue social justice organization with an explicit critique of capitalism
• Indivisible in Rochester includes multiple Rochester citizen groups focusing on different geographical and issue areas.
• Knowledge & Action Rochester Our goal is to provide a meeting place for connections, knowledge, and inspiration for action that will help us, as citizens, defend the fundamental rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
• Rochester NOW From the heart of the women’s rights movement led by Susan B. Anthony, Rochester NOW (National Organization for Women) continues her legacy
• Rochester Rapid Response Network mutual aid group formed to support immigrants facing detention or deportation by engaging in community-based strategic actions and public education guided by directly affected immigrant families.
• New York Renews coalition of nearly 400 climate, labor, youth, and community groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law.
• ROC Third Act Labor union activists and activists from the email group, Band of Rebels joined to form ROC Third Act, which is affiliated with national Third Act, Americans over sixty determined to change the world for the better.
• Food Not Bombs We recognize poverty as a form of violence, and think access to food should be viewed as a right, rather than a privilege. In this practice, we strive to reduce waste by turning donated food into productive meals.
• NY Immigration Coalition We advocate for the rights of all immigrants in New York state.
• Poor People’s Campaign the local chapter of the national movement inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on fighting systemic poverty, racism, militarism, and ecological devastation. 
• Citizens Action (Rochester Chapter Facebook) Fighting for social, racial, economic and environmental justice in Rochester, New York and beyond!
• WHO DID I MISS? There is a directory at https://www.rocnyprotest.com 
• An excellent historical discussion of fascism with good general suggestions for fighting it is found in On Tyranny, by Tim Snyder.

If you can afford financial support, two funds particularly related to this week’s news are one that goes directly to South Minneapolis Families Impacted by Federal Immigration Operations (here is a school system article about school closures due to ICE raids); and our own Alianza Agricola, a group led by and comprised of immigrant farmworkers in Western and Central New York.

     by Alice Carli (click here if you are interested in writing for this newsletter)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

From our online library of books, podcasts and other media centered on political education for organizing. We need a volunteer to curate this library and arrange book discussions! If you are interested, or if you have a favorite resource to share, please contact Alice. In the meantime, we will be sharing an interesting book, site or podcast every week. 

William Neumann, Things are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse, a 2022 history of the collapse of Venezuela that may be useful for context.

What books, articles or podcasts should we be reading about ICE and protesting US government violence? Send suggestions here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Saturday, January 10, 10-2 NY Renews regional convening at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton. Learn more about the climate movement and key policy goals. 
• Monday, January 12, 7-8 New York Health Act organizing meeting on zoom - fliers, legislative meetings, coalition contacts
• Tuesday, January 13, 7-8:30 pm, Poor People’s Campaign zoom webinar - the latest on the push for the New York Health Act for universal healthcare in NY, presented by Richard Gottfried (author of the bill), Martha Livingston (Professor of Public Health) and Len Rodberg (Research Director of the NY Metro chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program). Learn about a viable route for NY to cope with Trump’s disastrous healthcare cuts.
• Saturday, January 17, 11:30 am, corner of Goodman and University, rochesternow.org is holding the Rochester People’s March to Defend Our Rights and Our Future. Assemble at 11:30 a.m. The march will kick off at 11:45 a.m. at the Memorial Art Gallery. Participants are asked to gather on the sidewalk and park on the street or in nearby lots (please avoid MAG parking lots). Bring your signs and let your voices be heard as we join thousands of marchers across the country to stand up for our freedoms. This is a feminist-led day of action, sending a clear message to Donald and his allies: don’t touch our freedoms. We will march down University Avenue and Atlantic Avenue to Three Heads Brewing (family-friendly), located at 186 Atlantic Ave. Join us afterward for a drink or snack and the chance to connect with fellow activists. This will also be a great opportunity to learn how to get involved with NOW (National Organization for Women) and other local organizations. Let’s make our voices heard!
• Wednesday, January 21, 5:30-7:30 Monroe County Bar Association webinar on legal advice for protestors
• Wednesday, January 21 6-8 pm Metro Justice office (389 Gregory, entrance on Cayuga) Organizing Meeting for Rochester for Energy Democracy (Replace RGE)
• Saturday, January 31, 10-2 Metro Justice Annual Meeting.
• Thursday, January 22, 12:30-2 pm Elder Justice Committee organizing meeting. To get the zoom link, email: [email protected]
• Saturday May 9 Metro Justice Annual Dinner
• It's always a good time to check your membership status in our new portal as well! You should be able to log in and see your donation and dues history at the link here. (But please let us know if you have trouble!) 

Do you have an event or desktop action to share? Click here! The deadline for our Friday newsletter is Wednesday afternoon each week.

DESKTOP ACTIONS: 

• Use the NY Renews one-click tool to send an email TODAY to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, uplifting the Tonawanda Seneca Nation's demand that DEC dispute GCEDC as 'lead agency' for environmental review of the data center plan, and instead take that role itself. The deadline for DEC to take that action is January 16, so they need to hear from you NOW!
• Add your voice atCitizens' Impeachment. Click here for info on a local signal chat.
• If you are interested in how zoning affects life in Rochester neighborhoods, Ames Grigg is doing a deep dive on research, has learned and is "translating" a lot of detailed legal jargon, and has set up a GoFundMe to fund this work. Check it out.
• Urgent National call - Stop the SPEED ACT (HR 4776), a bill that would gut bedrock environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NYPIRG is asking us to call our US congressional representatives using their sample script, then report the call to NYPIRG. The bill has now passed in the house (on 12/18), so contact your Senator; This has still not passed the Senate yet, so please keep calling.
• Share, repost or comment on our RG&E demands on Insta and/or Facebook then Read our demand letter and send your own version of it to your legislators 
• Let your NY state Senator and Assembly Member know that you want them to pass the New York Health Act, so that all of us in NY can have health care we can afford, with monthly payments based on income and no other out of pocket cost.
• Metro Justice supports The New York Immigration Coalition's call for the New York For All Act, ending collusion between local and state agencies and federal immigration enforcement. Please sign the petition at the link!
• Repost/tweet the New York Health posts at the Campaign for New York Health Facebook page every Tuesday and Thursday noon
• Tell Governor Kathy Hochul: no more direct or indirect subsidies to prop up the failing boondoggle that is the STAMP mega industrial site. No more state permits or approvals to a destructive project that violates the Nation’s treaty rights to free use and enjoyment of their homelands.Click here for the statement. Then, click here to send Governor Hochul an email. 
• Get a "Replace RGE" yard sign! Be the envy of your neighbors!  
• Join Metro Justice or renew your membership - in these dark times we need to stick together, and to plan to support ourselves as much as possible.