Jan 30, 2026
3 min read
USA (international) "The USA deserves not to be seen by the rest of the world as an ally or a friend, what is happening is unprecedented."Mark Haber, author (published his latest book, The Abyss of San Sebastiano, by Marcos the Marcos in 2025) and an employee of the Minnesota publisher, Coffee House Press, live in
Minneapolis "They want to prevent us from loving others"
Uncivil War author Mark Haber said from Minneapolis
Uncivil War writer Mark Haber speaks from Minneapolis
"The United States does not deserve to be viewed by the rest of the world as an ally or a friend, what happened is unprecedented."Mark Haber, author (his last book, The Abyss of San Sebastiano, was published by Marcos y Marcos in 2025) and employee of the Minnesota publishing house Coffee House Press, lives in Minneapolis surrounded by ICE, a city agent.
Minnesota's surprising opposition has succeeded in pushing back, at least in part, the Trump administration's roadblocks.What do you think?
I think something is really changed a week ago.It's sad to find two murder, was found by those who came.The evidence wants to indicate the whole country to what is going on here for prayers and months.A MINnepolio Animal Story of Challenges and argue of landings.Trump and his Government we can come here and the city falls and let us steal our friends and neighbors, don't have any other people.But this city is not the same.The time Trump is selected for the second time, while her fancy is the most famous, the unknown meaning is not working.But Minnepolis is alive again, and I guess the rest of the land and earth.And now we're now starting to see the wave of strength and good idea.
Even Trump seems to have noticed this unpopularity in the midterms.Is hope not diminished even in the face of Justice Secretary Pam Bondi's "request" to Governor Tim Walz to provide the names of Minnesota voters?
It's a demonstration of how corrupt they are, but - I think - also not very smart.Bondi's behavior proves that immigration is not the problem.They really want electoral records, the bottom line is to stay in power.With the lists, they can check who are the people whose votes don't count.
A few days ago, he posted a photo of his passport, writing that he won't go out without it anymore.What is it like to be surrounded by armed militias that kidnap and torture people?
This is scary.My wife is multiracial and she doesn't go anywhere alone anymore.He won't leave the house without me.We go to work and come home.Many people here say it's like going back to the covid days.I'm stupid.And in some cases you can show them your documents, do not refuse: they will take you anyway.This is what changes people's habits, their way of life.
You work with words.What do you think about the parallel narrative that Good and Perry's management of the murder provides, even though we could have seen what happened with our own eyes?
That's what authoritarian regimes do.Orwell wrote this in 1984 about leadership telling you not to believe your eyes, but only what he says.It was those who could see that it was executions and murders that brought change.Trump and his administration didn't even pretend to be clueless that it was a mistake.They present a plausible narrative, but to anyone who is not brainwashed to see it, it is unreasonable and cruel.(In 2015, ed.) When Trump came down the escalator to announce his candidacy, I, like many, did not take him seriously.Then he had a debate with Hillary Clinton, and I remember watching his movements while Clinton was speaking: he followed her, he was close to her, almost physically intimidating her.I felt a shiver run down my spine.We did it.I told myself to be serious, this is an accident, very serious.I felt it on a physical and visual level.
A Washington Post editorial compares the photo of little Liam Conejo Ramos, taken by Ice, with the one of the Napalm girl, taken in Vietnam.do you agree
I think there are many similarities.When a government or leader indulges in unbridled cruelty.without regard to humanityand carefreeIt bears many similarities to some of the worst atrocities in history.But what if people convince themselves that it's not that bad?These actions can continue or get worse.These are the parents who look after the school.Police stationed for childrenin school to protect the schoolHow can this happen in a democracy?
This year we witnessed Trump's attack on freedom of speech: all voices against him turned into "domestic terrorism", "dangerous Antifa".
Maga wants to paint the situation in a way that does not distort the truth.The murdered man named Alex had a gun but was not holding it.He was waving the phone and raised his other hand, he was a peaceful protester and tried to protect the woman.We are here to show equality, humanity, freedom.It's scary that Republicans want to make us lose our humanity, to prevent us from seeing humanity in the faces and eyes of others.
The same was true for academic freedom, with many universities succumbing to dictatorship.
The situation in higher education is very serious.I believe that so many traditionally open institutions and company have disappeared for economic factors.Once in the trump has taken home, he began talestious universities and few were manifested the courage themselves tap against it.Not only on campus, but also in culture.Whether it is the Kennedy Center or a publish as in my case: I work in a small publisham, a very successful Nan-Profit which was around since the 80s.Years
So did the cuts directly affect you too?
Actually yes.As a non-profit we live off of book sales and donations from institutions like the National Heritage of the Arts, which was basically disbanded just six months after Trump took office.It just disappeared.And I know this has affected many other publishers as well.In Minneapolis there are many people, known all over the world who publish and translate texts written in all languages.In addition to us, for example, Milkweed Editions, Graywolf Press.We are all in a difficult situation.
The article has been updated on January 28, 2026 at 10:20 p.m
