‘Which Side Are You On?’: American protest songs have emboldened social movements for generations, from coal country to Minneapolis

Bruce Springsteen wrote and recorded ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ within days of Alex Pretti’s killing, continuing a long tradition of songs as protest against violence and repression.

By: Ted Olson, East Tennessee State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 10, 2026

Words: 1,525

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Ted Olson, East Tennessee State University

The presence of Department of Homeland Security agents in Minnesota compelled many people there to use songs as a means of protest. Those songs were from secular as well as religious traditions.

On Jan. 8, 2026, the day after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross killed Minneapolis resident Renée Good on Portland Avenue, an anonymous post appeared on Reddit that featured an uncredited text clearly …

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