Clergy Protest Against ICE Turns to Classic Civil Rights Songs

Protesters in Minneapolis use familiar tunes like "We Shall Overcome" to voice opposition to immigration enforcement actions.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Hundreds of clergy from around the country have converged on Minneapolis to take part in faith-based protests against immigration enforcement actions, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Many of the protesters have been singing well-known religious songs used during the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, like "Amazing Grace," "We Shall Overcome," and "This Little Light of Mine." These "freedom songs" have a unique staying power in American culture, partly due to their historical associations and partly because of the songs themselves.

Why it matters

The use of these classic protest songs highlights the connections between the current immigration protests and the Civil Rights Movement of the past. The songs help create a sense of community and collective purpose among the protesters, while also linking them to previous generations of activists who used music to galvanize their movements. The religious nature of the songs also reflects the central role that faith plays in motivating many of the protesters to stand up against perceived injustices.

The details

The protesters have been blocking a road near the Minneapolis airport, with many being arrested. The songs they have been singing, such as "Amazing Grace," "We Shall Overcome," and "This Little Light of Mine," were used extensively during the Civil Rights Movement. These "freedom songs" are known for their ability to foster solidarity, quell fear, and unnerve authorities. The songs are also easily adaptable, allowing protesters to craft new verses for their cause.

  • On January 28, 2026, Bruce Springsteen released the song "Streets of Minneapolis" in response to the immigration enforcement surge and killings in the city.
  • In late January 2026, hundreds of clergy from around the country converged on Minneapolis to take part in the faith-based protests.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

An American singer-songwriter who released the protest song "Streets of Minneapolis" in response to the immigration enforcement actions and killings in the city.

Renee Good

One of the individuals killed during the immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

One of the individuals killed during the immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“If you have to sing, do you have to sing so loud?”

— Armed deputy (Recounted by a civil rights activist)

“Their singing made him sick.”

— Birmingham, Alabama police commissioner (Recounted by young demonstrators)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the protesters arrested while blocking the road near the airport to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The use of classic Civil Rights-era protest songs by the clergy in Minneapolis demonstrates the enduring power of music to galvanize social movements and connect current activists to the struggles of the past. These "freedom songs" help foster a sense of community, solidarity, and nonviolent resistance among the protesters, while also linking their cause to the long history of faith-based activism for social justice.