CLA Presents

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota

Podcasts from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. In CLA Presents you’ll encounter the thought leaders, change-makers, and visionaries shattering expectations and making our world a better place for everyone. Drawing from the award-winning and trendsetting College of Liberal Arts faculty, researchers, and creatives, these conversations will move you, inspire you, and keep you informed.

Episodes

  1. Communication, Community Resilience, and Social Justice in the Shadow of -Operation Metro Surge

    MAR 16

    Communication, Community Resilience, and Social Justice in the Shadow of -Operation Metro Surge

    This panel brings together university community members to discuss the challenges of collective action, the struggle for social justice, and community resilience following the 2025–2026 ICE enforcement surge in Minneapolis. "Operation Metro Surge" transformed the city into what residents and local officials describe as a site of federal "occupation” and community resistance. From the use of corporate landmarks like Target as staging grounds to the detention of U.S. citizens based on racial profiling, these actions upended the daily lives of Minneapolitans, turning routine activities like grocery shopping or commuting into high-risk encounters. In response, communities moved away from looking to government, corporations and institutions for action toward community activism and mutual aid. This panel discusses what these actions looked like in Minneapolis, both as traditional "rituals of resistance"—ranging from neighborhood patrols in Indigenous areas to massive interfaith vigils— and as practical strategies for supporting individuals impacted. This panel seeks to answer: What does solidarity look like in Twin Cities communities? What were the communication failures and successes of government, corporations and non-profit institutions? What did “justice-oriented communication” look like in the Twin Cities? How can we understand the possibilities and constraints of mutual aid and solidarity activities in light of federal actions? What are the professional responsibilities of communicators? This panel will bridge the gap between professional PR ethics, corporate responsibility, and grassroots activism. This panel discussion was held on March 5, 2026 and was part of the Liberal Arts in Action series. Chair: Elisia Cohen, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Panel: Amy O’Connor, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication - Samantha Majhor, Dept of American Indian Studies - Jae Yates, Tretter Collection/UMN Libraries

    1h 2m

About

Podcasts from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. In CLA Presents you’ll encounter the thought leaders, change-makers, and visionaries shattering expectations and making our world a better place for everyone. Drawing from the award-winning and trendsetting College of Liberal Arts faculty, researchers, and creatives, these conversations will move you, inspire you, and keep you informed.