When Reality Stands Its Ground

In a quiet neighborhood, a shocking event unfolded. A car sped away after shots were fired by ICE agents. People nearby pulled out their phones, capturing the chaos. One man, a doctor, rushed to help, shouting his profession to the armed agents. A woman's sobs echoed in the background, "That's my wife! " The full video, over four minutes long, shows a chilling scene. Civilians, dressed warmly, stood their ground, phones out, recording everything. They knew someone had been shot by masked agents acting with impunity. Blood stained the ice and the car's airbag, yet they refused to leave. They believed witnessing reality was crucial. The victim, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old legal observer, was there to document an ICE raid. Activists and observers had gathered, whistles blowing to alert the neighborhood. The Trump administration quickly labeled her a domestic terrorist, even before her name was known. They promoted a short, grainy clip, dismissing other evidence. Yet, even this clip was unclear.Trump's disregard for reality is well-known. His administration has spread misinformation, from labeling anti-fascism as dangerous to sending the National Guard based on internet rumors. The rise of generative AI has made it harder to trust images, and platforms have weakened protections against disinformation. Fact-checkers now face consequences for their work. Despite efforts to silence dissent, the shooting sparked outrage in Minnesota. The mayor publicly demanded ICE leave the city. Senator Tina Smith expressed frustration, wishing the administration would leave Minnesota alone. Neighbors screamed in fury, calling the agents murderers as they fled. Renee Good and others believed they were witnessing an atrocity: the violent targeting of immigrant neighbors. Their actions—whistles, car honks, smartphone videos—showed their faith in shared reality, community, and due process. This event is unlikely to stop anti-ICE resistance. Observers may now go out in groups, ready to document not just ICE actions, but also potential violence against them. Tech leaders and social media platforms are enabling Trump's war on reality. Yet, ordinary people are fighting back, using their phones and social media to show that reality still matters. As long as they stand their ground, Trump hasn't won.