"Over the past year, whistles have become a symbol of the collective resistance of ordinary people standing up to federal immigration enforcement. As the Trump administration expands its immigration crackdown to cities and towns across the US, people are relying on whistles to warn their neighbors about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. But not all activists agree on their efficacy. Some organizers, including those in rural areas of the US, say that whistles can heighten panic in the communities they serve."
"When a few grassroots organizations across the country, from Washington state to Maryland, posted on social media about their decision to keep whistles out of their activism, a debate exploded online. But scholars of social movements say that tactical adaptability is a healthy part of organizing, as coalitions emerge, coalesce and continue to transform to meet the needs on the ground."
Whistles have become a community signal to warn neighbors about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as federal enforcement expands into cities and towns. Activists in some areas distribute whistles to alert and mobilize residents, while other organizers argue whistles can increase panic in rural communities and create confusion for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Several grassroots groups publicly rejected whistles, prompting heated online debate. Social-movement scholars describe such tactical shifts as healthy adaptability that allows coalitions to respond and transform according to local needs. Volunteers in Chicago distributed whistles amid fears after summer 2025 raids and threats of federal occupation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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