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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
February 5 - 11, 2026
Vol. 92
No. 27
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Journalist Fort’s arrest widely Minnesotans resisting injustice condemned as unconstitutional are today’s freedom fighters By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer
training radio station, Power Church after discovering that the pastor, David Easterwood, 104.7 FM. According to Fort, the offi- also served as Field Director ndependent journalist cers obtained a warrant after for ICE in Minnesota. Fort, Georgia Fort was ar- the Department of Justice al- present at the church, reportrested the morning of Jan. legedly presented the matter ed on the protest. The arrests follow similar 30 by the FBI, along with to a grand jury. She was one three others, in connection of four people arrested by the actions last week, when Nekiwith her reporting on the Cit- DOJ Friday morning, includ- ma Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll ies Church protest earlier this ing former CNN anchor Don Allen, and William Kelly were month. All three were released later that same day. Fort’s arrest has drawn widespread outrage from both the community and fellow journalists. “She’s amazing, honestly. She’s very smart and caring. Just overall a good person,” A collage of Minnesota activists highlights modern-day freedom fighters organizing through said Emilio, a friend of Fort’s protest, mutual aid, and policy advocacy. Courtesy daughter. Anaya, another friend of her daughter, called Fort “a regular mom.” kima Levy Armstrong; Trahern hold, at the end of the day we By Damenica Ellis “She doesn’t do anything Crews and Monique Cullars- should be standing as human Staff Writer but work for her family and Doty, co-founders of Black beings … not as a title, not keep them fed, and I think s Operation Lives Matter Minnesota; Jayl- as a race, not as an ethnicity,” she’s done such an amazing Metro Surge un- ani Hussein of CAIR-MN; Les- said Toshira Garraway Allen, job,” Anaya said. “I feel like folds alongside lie E. Redmond of Win Back; founder of Families Supportshe doesn’t deserve this at ongoing racial and social justice activist Lav- ing Families Against Police all. It’s sad for her family. My Violence. “It’s time for all of injustice and rollbacks of di- ish Mack. heart breaks for them. It’s a Independent journalist Georgia Fort embraces a supporter versity, equity and inclusion Many of these commu- us to stand on the right side little scary because she has outside the Minneapolis federal courthouse after her release efforts, Minnesotans continue nity leaders, while passion- of history. It’s time for all of us the right to do everything she on Jan. 30. Photo courtesy of Izzy Canizares/MSR to organize through protests, ate about addressing various to start treating each other as got arrested for.” boycotts and mutual aid. Resi- forms of injustice, have also human beings.” Fort was taken into custo- Lemon and activists Trahern detained and later released dents across the state are re- been active in efforts to reAllen said her advocacy bedy at her home, an arrest she Crews and Jamael Lundy, ac- for their alleged involvement sisting injustice through direct move federal agents from gan with a desire to provide streamed live on Facebook. cording to U.S. Attorney Gen- in the demonstration. action, policy advocacy, heal- Minnesota, related to the on- others with what she did not “Fort was present at the ing work, and education. She is a celebrated, award- eral Pam Bondi. going escalation of Immigrant have during her own experiThe arrests relate to an in- demonstration solely in a jourwinning Minnesota journalist, Some of today’s local free- and Customs Enforcement ence with injustice: support founder of BLCK Press, and cident on January 18, when nalistic capacity, document- dom fighters include civil (ICE) oversight in Minnesota. and a voice. In 2009, Allen co-founder of the Center for civil rights activists interrupt- ing an event of significant rights attorney and Racial “I believe in my heart that said her fiancé, Justin Teigen, ■ See ARREST on page 5 Justice Network founder Ne- no matter what job title you Broadcast Journalism and its ed a church service at Cities ■ See FREEDOM on page 5
Rep. Ilhan Omar attacked during town hall By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer North Minneapolis town hall erupted into chaos the evening of Jan. 27 after a man used a syringe to spray an orange substance at U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, prompting his arrest by Minneapolis police. Omar was hosting Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District’s first monthly town hall of the year, joined by local and state officials who were providing updates on public safety, immigration enforcement, and legislative priorities. The event came to an abrupt halt when a man seated in
the front row rushed toward Omar and sprayed her with liquid from a syringe before being subdued by security and law enforcement. Witnesses said the man moved quickly toward the congresswoman, extending his arm and spraying the substance before being tackled to the ground by Omar’s security detail and later restrained by Minneapolis police officers. He was escorted out of the venue as officers secured the room. The attack occurred moments after Omar criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and called for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secre-
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar addresses attendees after being sprayed with an orange substance from a syringe during a town hall meeting. Photo by Izzy Canizares/MSR
tary Kristi Noem. “ICE cannot be reformed. It cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE for good, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign, or this is our future,” Omar said shortly before the assault. Local and state officials attending the town hall had been discussing proposed legislative efforts related to civil rights protections and immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Several officials referenced increased scrutiny of federal immigration operations following recent controversies involving Border Patrol and ICE activity in the state. “We’re looking at ways to strengthen our civil rights laws in Minnesota because we know the federal government continues to erode civil rights at all levels,” Minnesota State Representative Esther Agbaje said earlier in the event. “We want to ensure that in Minnesota, at least, your civil rights will be protected here.” Despite being visibly shaken, Omar chose to continue the town hall after a brief pause, responding to audience questions and addressing the incident directly. “These a**holes are not going to get away with that,” Omar said shortly after the attack when aides encouraged her to stop the event. She later addressed the crowd again, ■ See OMAR on page 5
Before Obama and Harris: Black pioneers who ran for president By Alex Nellis ong before Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, Black Americans were running for president, often overlooked yet blazing trails for future generations. These early campaigns challenged racism, sexism, and systemic barriers long before the 21st century, proving that Black voices could participate in the nation’s highest political arenas, even against steep odds.
was symbolic, demonstrating that Black Americans could not be ignored in the political conversation. Douglass’ legacy as a writer, orator and activist underscores the longstanding fight for political inclusion that would continue well into the next century. As he said in a speech to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in 1857, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will,” reminding us that even symbolic acts of recognition are part of a broader struggle for equality.
systemic barriers. Despite the constitutional right to vote, Jim Crow laws and voter suppression effectively silenced Black voices in many states. A former member of both the Republican and Democratic parties, Taylor had grown disillusioned with how both major parties ignored Black voters. His campaign emphasized pro-Black policies, economic equity, and civil rights, messages that resonated with marginalized communities. Yet with his name barred from most ballots, Taylor’s campaign ended by default, demonstrating how systemic racism limited political opportunity long before the civil rights era.
Frederick Douglass Library of Congress Fredrick Douglass, one of George Edwin Taylor the 19th century’s most promiUniversity of North Florida nent abolitionists, became the The 20th century brought first African American ever nominated for president in new challenges and opportu1888. Douglass never actively nities. In 1904, George Edwin campaigned or sought the of- Taylor became the first African fice, but an influential state American to run a presidential representative cast a vote in his campaign with serious organization behind it. Nominated by the favor, marking a historic first. Though he received only a National Negro Liberty Party single vote, the nomination (NNLP), Taylor faced immense
Channing E. Phillips National Endowment for the Humanities It wasn’t until 1968 that an African American candidate again made national headlines. Channing E. Phillips, a minister, ■ See PIONEERS on page 5