goldspunlife In Minnesota, concern about what happened to detainees at the Whipple building has been intense. Representatives were refused entry to inspect conditions. Released detainees were traumatized. Now their stories are emerging. Stories like that of Brandon, a US citizen detained early in Operation Metro Surge. Before Haven Watch existed. This week, @minnesota50501 —a grassroots nonprofit working for freedom, opportunity, and security for all Minnesotans— interviewed Brandon about his eight hours inside Whipple. His interview confirms what other detainees have described: appalling conditions, deliberate, cruelty, constitutional violations. Brandon describes concrete cells with one way glass. Constant screaming. People begging for help. Guards unresponsive—for hours— to pleas for a bathroom, for water, for food. Resorting to pounding on glass. Food never came. When he was finally allowed bathroom access, Brandon was taken past packed cells; people couldn’t sit or lie down. He saw a woman, sobbing, as she was forced to use a toilet with only a waist high barrier while three ICE agents watched her and laughed. He was led to a metal toilet, covered in urine, wet, toilet paper, no soap. Only cold, running water. Three interrogations. A bribe: money in exchange for names of protest, organizers, or undocumented people. Brandon said no. After eight hours, they released him. Into a protest. He was hit with a pepper ball. Flash bangs and tear gas exploding around him. ICE agents running at people with weapons drawn. This is how ICE treated detained Minnesotans— citizens and immigrants alike. Brandon‘s full interview is available at @minnesota50501 . His experience matters. What happened inside Whipple matters. Because this treatment continues. Here, and across the country. These stories must be told. We refuse to be silenced. #mnstands #goldspunprofiles #whipplebuilding #witnesstestimony #resist View all 358 comments