CLA Presents

As Minneapolis became the flashpoint for "Operation Metro Surge," the city’s creative community shifted from observers to active participants in an unprecedented movement of resistance. The panel seeks to understand how art functions not just as decoration or commentary, but as a vital infrastructure for mutual aid, psychological resilience, and the active reclamation of public space. This panel discussion was held on March 5, 2026 and was part of the Liberal Arts in Action series.

Panelists: Paolo Debuque, School of Music - Sumanth Gopinath, School of Music - Beth Hartman, Dept of Writing Studies - Jenny Schmid, Dept of Art - Patrick Warfield, School of Music

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

On January 23, Leading scholars, journalists, and community voices joined together for a series of virtual panel discussions exploring how liberal arts expertise shapes our understanding of today’s most pressing civic issues—from the role of the media and constitutional rights to the lived impacts of state-sanctioned violence. In this first panel, Michelle Phelps (Dept of Sociology), Emmanuel Mauleon (Minnesota Law School), and Carrie Walling (College of Liberal Arts Human Rights Program) reflect on how we can understand the political response to state-sanctioned violence in light of Minneapolis' history of political struggles from 2020? What are the First and Fourth Amendment rights available to citizens and immigrants? How can people conduct constitutional observation? What are the barriers to achieving accountability through the criminal legal process considering the antagonism between the state and federal authorities?

On January 23, Leading scholars, journalists, and community voices joined together for a series of virtual panel discussions exploring how liberal arts expertise shapes our understanding of today’s most pressing civic issues—from the role of the media and constitutional rights to the lived impacts of state-sanctioned violence. In the day's second panel, Ben Hovland (MPR News), Dylan Jacobson (KSTP-TV), Lewis Karpel (WCCO TV ) and Ellen Schmidt (MinnPost) discuss how photojournalists play a critical role covering law enforcement, protect, and immigration activities. The panel also reflects on the way that their work has changed with the widespread availability of digital recording devices, and in particular this moment in time when everyone is documenting what is happening in the community. They will also discuss the unique professional ethical roles and responsibilities in contrast to citizens activists and constitutional observers. Finally, local photojournalists will discuss their experiences as on-the-ground reporters in the present moment, and compare it to their past reporting experiences, including 2020 civil unrest.

On January 23, Leading scholars, journalists, and community voices joined together for a series of virtual panel discussions exploring how liberal arts expertise shapes our understanding of today’s most pressing civic issues—from the role of the media and constitutional rights to the lived impacts of state-sanctioned violence. In the third session, Jane Kirtley (Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication) and Andy Mannix (ProPublicaare) are in dialoge with Hubbard School faculty Elisia Cohen on the topic of First Amendment law and ethics. What rights and responsibilities do journalists have to cover law enforcement activities and protests? What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens and observers of law enforcement activities?

On January 23, Leading scholars, journalists, and community voices joined together for a series of virtual panel discussions exploring how liberal arts expertise shapes our understanding of today’s most pressing civic issues—from the role of the media and constitutional rights to the lived impacts of state-sanctioned violence. In the final panel of the day, Jon Collins (MPR), Brian Arola (MinnPost), Shubhanjana Das (Sahan Journal) and Madison McVan (Minnesota Reformer) talk about how journalists on the ground in communities are uniquely positioned to build trust, or rely on already-created trust, to more deeply document people's experience at this moment. This conversation with local journalists in the Twin Cities who have experience reporting in and for their communities. The conversation will include a look at the journalist's role compared to that of observers who are recording/documenting the operations. How are those roles distinct? Does the public understand the difference between observers and journalists? It will also explore the way close-in reporting can promote empathy in times of strife.

The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”

This session, "Breaking Free: Creating transformative changes in policing for Minneapolis" was held online via Zoom on December 3, 2020.

How can we create transformative change in Minneapolis in the wake of the killing of George Floyd? This panel brought together community advocates, activists, and political leaders to discuss their visions for the future of policing.

PANELISTS:

Andrea Jenkins, Council Vice President, Minneapolis City Council

Jamael Lundy, Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee Administrator, Minnesota House of Representatives

Oluchi Omeoga, Co-founder, Black Visions Collective

Marquita Stephens, Director of Education Programs and Policy, Urban League Twin Cities

MODERATOR:

Michelle Phelps, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota

The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”

This session, "You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught: Our classrooms are where our children get their social lenses" was held online via Zoom on November 19, 2020.

Let’s take a critical look at how curriculum and pedagogy within our public and private elementary and secondary classrooms can shift how our children view themselves and each other as equally important young citizens. Join us for a conversation about education in the context of student resistance and political upheaval.

PANELISTS:

Courtney Bell, former Minneapolis High School teacher; Founder and Principal Consultant, Courtney S. Bell Consultants, LLC

Kimberly Colbert, English Teacher, Central High School

Brian D. Lozenski, Associate Professor of Urban and Multicultural Education, Macalester College

Vernon Rowe, Principal, Northeast Middle School

MODERATOR:

Rose Brewer, Professor, Department of African American and African Studies, University of Minnesota

The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”

This session, "Walking the Talk: Be inspired by CLA grads using their influence for social change" was held online via Zoom on October 22, 2020.

CLA is grounded in the principle that through the liberal arts we can examine, influence, and build a better society for everyone. Many of our graduates are doing just that, and especially in the arena of racial justice. A few of them will share their stories. All of us will be inspired.

PANELISTS:

Ernest Comer III, Presidential Co-Chair, UMN Black Alumni Network; Associate Director, African American Leadership Forum (BA '09, speech communication)

Suzie Hewitt, Senior Lead Marketing Manager, Lumen Technology (Bachelors of Individualized Studies '14)

Amber Jones, Community Outreach Coordinator, Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (BA '15, African American & African studies)

Toussaint Morrison, Writer, Actor, Community Organizer, On Site Public Media (BA '06, theatre arts)

Jonathan Weinhagen, President & CEO, Minneapolis Regional Chamber

MODERATOR:

Keith Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of African American & African Studies

The “What’s Next?” Roundtable Series are CLA-hosted discussions with community leaders that seek to answer the question “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?”

This session, "Money Talks: Leveraging the power of business and philanthropy in pursuit of racial justice" was held online via Zoom on October 8, 2020.

The Twin Cities boasts a vibrant philanthropic community, with many organizations focused on addressing racial disparities and creating more equitable communities. Added to that are numerous thriving businesses including Fortune 500 companies.

What role do these important sectors play in answering calls for racial justice?

How will they respond to calls for change?

How do and should they intersect to create a web of support for eliminating institutional and systemic racism in society?

PANELISTS:

Kara Carlisle, Vice President of Programs, McKnight Foundation

Trista Harris, President, FutureGood

Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President of Impact, Minneapolis Foundation

Jonathan Weinhagen, President & CEO, Minneapolis Regional Chamber

MODERATOR:

Amelious N. Whyte, Jr., PhD, Director of Public Engagement, College of Liberal Arts