• I met Will Stancil two days before he got booted from his neighborhood Signal chat. • We were at the Uptown Minneapolis VFW at an event hosted by Rep. • Ilhan Omar, a thank-you party for Minnesotans who fought ICE in ways big and small. • There were tacos and drinks, and dancing, though I never saw Stancil dance, which is not to say it never happened. • A friend of mine who knows of Stancil from his work on school desegregation was surprised I knew who he was. • She had no idea he was a combative, divisive online personality.

Article Summaries:

  • Will Stancil, a Minneapolis activist known for publicly confronting ICE agents, has sparked controversy after being removed from a local Signal chat group. Stancil, who has been filming ICE raids and has been joined by reporters from CNN, The Atlantic, and The Verge, claims his goal is to document federal abuses. Critics argue his high‑profile “commuting” stunts endanger himself and others, and accuse him of seeking attention. Supporters, however, view him as an anti‑hero who has drawn attention to ICE’s tactics. The ban reflects a broader split in the community over the safety and effectiveness of his methods.

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