Gamers and Communities Unite to Oppose ICE

It’s not shocking that someone who’s been vocal about the pitfalls of late-stage capitalism on social media for years would turn their attention to ICE. However, a notable shift has occurred recently, especially after the tragic shootings of civilians by federal agents. Even accounts that typically focus on lighthearted topics like golfing, woodworking, and cats being played like instruments have begun to voice their concerns.

The mood on platforms like social media and Reddit intensified sharply following the death of Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE. Even the moderator of the usually apolitical r/catbongos, a subreddit dedicated to watching cats being played like bongos, made a statement declaring that anyone who supports Trump or ICE, even slightly, is unwelcome in their community.

While it’s one thing for quilters on Instagram or a Facebook page about New England gravestones to express their discontent, it’s another to see the r/military subreddit filled with frustrated users denouncing the situation as “exactly what tyranny looks like” and sharing memes that poke fun at the Secretary of Defense. One user, claiming to be a 21-year veteran of the US Army, stated, “these guys are against all we stand for as Americans. Modern day brownshirts.”

Across Reddit, various communities are flooded with anti-ICE sentiments. From r/Fauxmoi to r/NFCNorthMemeWar and r/DungeonCrawlerCarl, the backlash is widespread. Even some members of r/conservative have begun to question Kristi Noem’s labeling of Alex Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” suggesting she should “just be quiet for a while.” Debates have erupted over perceived hypocrisy regarding the Second Amendment.

Prominent figures have also joined the conversation, including Joe Santagato from The Basement Yard podcast, who described the events unfolding in Minneapolis as “legit horrifying.” When someone urged him to “stay out of politics,” he retorted with a clever comeback.

Canadian wrestlers and influencers Chris and Patrick Vörös have previously expressed their anti-ICE stance, using this moment to highlight the only two ICE agents they support. The educational YouTube channel Primer also took to social media to emphasize that this issue transcends politics and touches on the very “fabric of society.”

Music creators and gear YouTubers, such as Benn Jordan, Randall Taylor (Amulets), Bad Snacks, and Jason Mays from Working Class Music, have also voiced their opposition, with the United Musicians & Allied Workers calling for ICE’s abolition. Many manufacturers, including Drolo, Chase Bliss, and Hungry Robot, have shown their support for the people of Minneapolis, even at the risk of alienating some customers.

Canadian musician bbno$ decided to break his silence, risking his visa and current US tour to support the abolish ICE movement. Even Thoren Bradley, known for his wood-chopping persona, has called out the hypocrisy of Christian conservatives to his 10.7 million followers.

The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement expressing solidarity with the people of Minnesota who are protesting and risking their lives for justice.

It’s no surprise that creators like Hank Green are speaking out, but the fact that fitness influencers, duck-painting TikTokers, football subreddits, bourbon enthusiasts on Instagram, and even Second Amendment advocates have finally found their voices suggests that the government is losing control of the narrative, no matter how hard they try to spin it.

Let us know in the comments about other creators and communities that have started to speak out.