Activist Group Teaches Jury Nullification to Fight 'Unjust' ICE Laws

Defend the 612 will host a virtual training on using false jury verdicts to protect protesters against immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A Minnesota activist group called Defend the 612 is hosting a virtual 'Jury Nullification Training' on February 23rd to teach attendees how to use false jury verdicts to fight 'unjust laws and political persecution' related to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The group claims this tactic can 'stem authoritarian overreach' despite the fact that jury nullification decisions cannot be overturned.

Why it matters

This training highlights growing tensions between activist groups and federal immigration enforcement, with some organizations encouraging risky confrontations and obstruction of ICE operations. The use of jury nullification to undermine the judicial process raises concerns about the rule of law and public safety.

The details

Defend the 612, a Minnesota-based activist group, is hosting the virtual 'Jury Nullification Training' on February 23rd. The event description states that attendees will learn 'how to legally use conscience in the courtroom to defend communities from unjust laws.' This comes as the Trump administration has charged hundreds of people with impeding ICE operations around the country, including at protests in Minneapolis.

  • The 'Jury Nullification Training' is scheduled for February 23, 2026.
  • The Trump administration's crackdown on anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis is now winding down after weeks of immigration arrests.

The players

Defend the 612

A Minnesota activist group that encourages protests against immigration enforcement and is sponsored by the tax-exempt group Cooperation Cannon River.

Cooperation Cannon River

The tax-exempt group that sponsors Defend the 612.

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What’s next

The judge presiding over any cases involving Defend the 612 protesters will need to carefully screen potential jurors for signs of bias during the jury selection process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing divide between activist groups and federal immigration enforcement, with some organizations exploring legal loopholes to undermine the judicial process. It raises concerns about the rule of law and public safety, and underscores the need for balanced and lawful approaches to addressing complex immigration issues.