Sarah Dope has a Tumblr. @sarahdope - Tumblr Blog

the immigrant law centre of minnesota is providing free counsel to people who are currently detained. msp mag has a longer list of rent relief & mutual aid funds to donate to. ice violence is only going to escalate from here; if you're not in the twin cities and have the means please consider supporting from afar 💗

chaddavisphotography

ICE and Border Patrol agents on Nicollet Avenue on January 24, 2026. This follows the shooting death of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti. Pretti is the second person killed and third person shot by federal agents in Minneapolis this month.

Please Stop Asking How We Are If You Don’t Want An Honest Answer.

A note from Minneapolis. January 21, 2026.

My sleeping patterns are still irregular. A couple of hours here, an hour there, end up wide awake and staring into the abyss for a few more hours, maybe fall asleep for an hour and a half before the alarm goes off and begins screaming at me to please wake up for work. Sometimes my slumber is interrupted by the sounds of sirens and horns, sometimes followed with whistles and screams somewhere down the road. Sometimes I jolt up. Because sometimes I was dreaming of hearing the whistles.

I begin the cycle of my day.

I fumble out of bed, exhausted. I brush my teeth and throw on some clothes. I grab my wallet, my ID, my passport, my keys, my gloves, my whistle. Throw on a scarf, a beanie, winter jacket, and my boots. I grab my keys and begin the scanning process for anything that may seem suspicious as I leave the building and cross lots, walk along the sidewalks, etc. I text a friend to let him know I have left my apartment and am still in the process of walking to my destination and will let him know when I arrive. The usual process these days.

This morning, it is snowy already. A storm is coming. There is a long van with tinted windows across the way, but from the angle I was at, I couldn’t see if the driver had a mask or vest on. I couldn’t see if there was a front plate or not, nor could I see what the plates were. They were at a light. I paused and waited for that light to turn green, because if they were getting ready to turn my way, I was going to be ready to get out of that position as quickly and safely as possible… just in case. It proceeded to move forward towards Uptown.

I’d get my iced mocha, let a friend know I was going to be walking back now. I notice a black SUV in the parking lot, nestled inbetween a couple of cars. Their lights were still on. Tinted windows. No front plate and I couldn’t see the back plate from my angle. I tried to look through the windshield as I kept cautiously walking back home, but I couldn’t tell if someone was still in there watching me or the lot. I kept looking past my shoulder to see if it was going to move at all until I could no longer see them as I turned the corner.

I get home and text my friend to let him know. I sit down, open my work laptop while I start seeing notifications pop up. Five masked agents spotted just down the street, waiting in the lot of a neighboring apartment complex. Suspected ICE vehicle there, suspected ICE vehicle there, seem to be moving towards south. Bovino spotting across the street, but potential passing through towards Uptown and south.

My nerves are already shot and it’s not even Noon yet. Meanwhile, I’m trying to pretend it’s just a normal day while I attempt to professionally function, but there is nothing normal about this. But I also don’t know how to get people outside of this state to truly understand that. Sirens start going off as they pass my building. Then again. I don’t like this feeling.

I would soon find out about some of the things going on just a couple of miles away. I would have friends out there to bear witness in person. Green gas would be thrown into the streets of a residential area (again, as this just happened nights ago in North Minneapolis after they shot a man in the leg). They would detain two teenagers, despite having their passports. A 5-year old boy would be abducted and used as bait. Reports say he has already been sent to Texas somewhere.

A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD.

But yeah. We’re really getting “the worst of the worst” off the streets, you guys.

And one of the terrifying parts about all of this is… this is only a few of many of today’s cases. This has been the daily life for a lot of us lately. I would begin to hear helicopters and more sirens throughout the day. Friends would check in either to just see how I’m feeling with everything today, and/or if I needed anything delivered as I am stuck indoors.

(I would also later find out that this conveniently comes after the appeals court decided that they are indeed allowed to use force against us this morning, so perhaps that explains the returned chaos. Not like they honored the pause to begin with, but ya know…)

They say ignorance is bliss, but I really need people to stop choosing to live that way right now. We are trying to fight for our lives out here, as well as our neighbors’, but also your lives as well… because this isn’t going to just magically stop with us. Hell, they already launched in Maine today.

“How are you?” (Not great.) “I hope you’re doing amazing!” (I’m really not.) ”Awww, what’s wrong?” (“Awww,” I’m trying to not be disappeared and am currently trying to survive federal occupation… AGAIN, by the way. AGAIN.) ”Wait, what’s going on?” (Do… do you live under a giant rock or are you being willfully ignorant because you think none of this affects you in any way?)

We’re tired. We’re heartbroken and we’re furious and we’re disappointed and we’re scared and we’re anxious and we’re fucking tired. We’re trying to keep our emotions at bay while trying to function like everything is normal and keep working because we still need to pay rent and other bills while pretending like all of this shit is “just another day” and it surely isn’t happening right outside of our doors. Like it isn’t happening to our friends, our family, our neighbors. Sure, it’s fine. It must be nice to just not care and be able to just tune it out.

So if you don’t really want to know the answer to “how we’re doing”, then stop asking. Just tell us what you want/need.

Before I end this rambling for the night, a lot of our beloved restaurants and businesses out here are once again suffering as the result of this occupation, basically, out of safety concerns. Rather than re-listing everything, MSP Mag actually has a great list compiled here.

This Friday, January 23rd is ‘ICE Out of Minnesota’ day. “No work, no school, no shopping — only community, conscience, and collective action.” There will be a march and rally in downtown Minneapolis beginning at 2pm. A whole lot of businesses will be closed in solidarity.

(That said, quick note: I would also like to acknowledge that not every small business can afford to shut down for a day. Many of them had made lengthy statements about this stating why, often offering warmth for protestors, or still operating under caution and offering takeout only, and/or having marching staff provide free food, etc. If you do choose to spend money, just make sure you know who you’re giving your money to.)

#minneapolis #minnesota #sarah dope #sarahdope

chaddavisphotography

Border Commander Greg Bovino stands outside a South Minneapolis gas station this morning with BORTAC officers in what seemed like an effort to draw more and more people to the scene as other agents shoot high resolution video of the crowd yelling and blowing whistles.

stuffaboutminneapolis

He’s a smug little man with such a punchable face

stuffaboutminneapolis

via SNL

Brief Moments of Joy Amidst the Chaos.

Some words I shared late last night.

——————————————

A Note From Minnesota.

They say that joy is an act of resistance, and while a part of our brain may remember this and our mouth repeats the words, sometimes it’s easy for the rest of our beings to fumble in our attempts to catch up.

My little moments of joy on Sunday included:

Finally revisiting my Animal Crossing island for the first time in years. (My villagers are quite upset with me)

Playing some Fortnite with friends who were also not leaving their homes for the rest of the day

Started reading Grady Hendrix’s The Final Girl Support Group

Enjoyed an iced mocha (which anyone who knows or has been following me for a while can tell you this is my usual go-to coffee order no matter what the weather is outside), which I haven’t been able to safely go acquire every day lately

Enjoyed a nice long hot bath. (I get my bath bombs from Witch Baby Soap, in case anyone was actually wondering)

Today, a fellow photographer friend picked me up to take me out of the city to get some fresh air. Not that getting out of city limits means much these days. I know that. And Mankato has also had their own cases with ICE just a few days ago, but I had a small glimmer of hope that the quietness might’ve made things “safer” comparatively.

And while, seemingly from what I could see during my little time there, it was… but it also didn’t ease up my nerves at all. I still scanned every nearby car any time we got out of the car. I still texted certain people before I left my home and kept them updated throughout the trip. It didn’t change the fact that I sent an “updated emergency contact list + info” message to a handful of folk this morning before I left, not only including extra numbers of friends and family to call, but the district office, the list of people who have access to track me 24/7 assuming nothing is lost or destroyed, and what to try to do with any of my assets (especially any money I have remaining in my bank) “should I cease to exist.”

Because this is the reality some of us are living in right now. (And send my money to my parents, by the way. I help keep them afloat as much as I can.)

On our way back to Minneapolis, about halfway there over by Henderson, we turn into a rest stop. A rest stop of ICE agents in HSI vests.

My heart started racing. The first thought in my head was, “I can’t be here. We need to get the fuck out.” And we did. Fast.

And while I didn’t show it, my heart was racing the entire ride back.

I get inside. I open my unit door… to get a notification of a suspected ICE vehicle spotted in the lot near me where my balcony overlooks. I look at the photo. COMPLETELY blacked out windows. I couldn’t see it myself from my angle, but I sat there for a while, anxiously waiting for the potential sound of screams and whistles.

Meanwhile, not too long before I returned, ICE would be knocking on the door of a friend just a few miles away, trying to intimidate him and get him to identify certain households.

A couple hours later, my friend would invite me to going back out to make some photos. This time, downtown, to see if we could get the northern lights. I’ve always wanted to see them in person, but out of my own safety concerns at this time, I had to decline. And I hate that for multiple reasons.

But this is the reality some of us are living in right now.

#minneapolis #minnesota #sarah dope #mankato #sarahdope

Trying to Navigate Through Federal Occupation.

Hello.

It has been an incredibly long time since I've really used this platform [regularly], and honestly, I'm not sure if I'll return to using it regularly or if this will be another random post before I run off to try to juggle all of my other platforms instead...

But while I'm here, as some of you may have realized over the years, I've been living in Minneapolis for the past 12 years. Right now, we are currently under federal occupation. (Again.)

In 2020, I lived in the dead center of everything and in a generally not-so-great building anyway... yet, I have never felt so extremely unsafe and consistently on edge until now.

While I am still here, I want to share some words that I posted elsewhere the other night in hopes that it gives people outside of this state an idea of what's really been happening here, or, if you do live here, I hope this resonates with you and at least gives you a sliver of comfort that you are not alone in your feelings.

------------------------------------------

A note from Minneapolis.

I decided to step outside of my home to walk and get an iced mocha early this morning, but first, along with my keys, wallet, and phone, I grab a whistle. I spend a few minutes right inside of my building’s front door, scanning our parking lot and one of the lots of the building next to us. Do I see anything suspicious? Any cars that normally aren’t parked in those spots? Any hidden, missing, or out of state plates? Anyone I don’t recognize lurking about?

I text a friend and let him know I’m stepping outside.

A friend who has a list of people to call should he never hear from me again.

I cautiously make my way out the door and through the front lot, continuing to scan. As I get closer to the road and sidewalk, I begin looking across the street for anything or anyone out of place, but especially just across the street, where ICE agents were planted just a couple of days ago. I continue walking. I continue updating.

I turn into the lot of the bakery, looking at every single car and plate in that lot.

As I place my order, one of the employees ask how I’m doing today. I just let out a heavy sigh. I’m tired. We’re all tired. “Man that’s a loaded question lately.”

They respond, “We all feel you.” We have a brief discussion about what is happening in our city and our concerns of where it may go from here very soon. They hand me my mocha and make sure to look me in the eyes as they’re handing it to me, “Please let us know if you ever NEED anything, and we WILL see you tomorrow.” I almost cried. I needed to hear that.

I make my walk back. Scanning and updating. As I’m opening my building’s front door, I hear whistles going off in the distance. They didn’t seem loud enough to be walking distance from me that I would personally be in extreme danger, but it isn’t any less jarring. It doesn’t make me any less on edge. I quickly get back inside.

I get back to my unit. I text my friend that I am back home safe.

I start work for the day. It feels… surreal? trying to work and take Zoom calls when all of this is happening outside of your door. It’s hard to stay focused when your own city is being occupied and terrorized by federal agents and you are expected to just operate as normal. It’s hard to get through the day and be on calls when sometimes you just start tearing up because there are so many HORRORS happening right out your door, sometimes even to people you personally know, and few outside of your state seem to even care because they’d rather tune it out.

Today in particular, a friend lets me know about a scary experience one of her other friends had out here. Also Asian. Almost abducted by just walking down the street. ICE chased him. She begged me to stay safe.

…That could have been me.

That could have been me.

Throughout the day, I can hear the patterned horns, and I hate that I know what that means. I always look out my window to try to figure out how close or far it is. Can I witness anything?

Throughout the night, I’ll have trouble sleeping or staying asleep. What new horrors will occur this time? Because it’s been constant. Sometimes I’ll wake up to the sounds of whistles and horns.

Rinse and repeat, because that’s what it’s like out here right now.

------------------------------------------

Currently, at the time of writing this, the platform I am the most active on is Instagram (especially IG Stories). From there, it kind of trickles about.

#minneapolis #minnesota #sarah dope #sarahdope

stuffaboutminneapolis

A person stands among a cloud from a riot control grenade thrown by a federal agent, following an incident where a civilian's car was hit by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. Photo by Tim Evans

stuffaboutminneapolis

In this episode of The Load Out, Ashanti interviews Sarah Dope, a photographer, creative content producer, and talent manager. The two share

My former colleague (from Rhymesayers Entertainment + Soundset Festival), dear friend, and Ternwheel CEO Ashanti Abdullah asked me to be on The Load Out. Honestly it is very intimidating following such an incredibly talented musician like Budo, but here we are and you can now listen to me babble about a chunk of my life, how I got into the music industry in the first place, my cauldron of jobs even to this day, and my time in the wrestling scene.

#sarah dope #sarahdope #music industry #tech #wrestling #photography

My 2023 recap in [mostly] photo work.

Put together a 2023 recap in photography. Looking back on my year, I spent a whole lot of time traveling and hanging out with wrestlers. Here's to hoping that all continues in 2024. ✨

#sarah dope #photography

This has been a very, very long road, but the murderer for my friend Amie Harwick was finally served a verdict yesterday.

Gareth Pursehouse has been found guilty on all three counts in the first degree (murder, special circumstance of lying in wait, burglary). I broke down into tears as soon as the jury read the verdict. As others have described it, a mixture of tears of pain because this doesn’t bring her back; but also tears of relief because we have been waiting for this for 3.5 years.

We miss you dearly, Amie.

Sending love to her family, mutuals, and other friends. 🖤

(First photo was one of her self portraits; second was from a time long ago that we realized we were all at SDCC, so Alicia and I made sure to go visit her at her booth)