My name is Cameron Kennedy. On June 16th, myself and 11 of the 15 of my co-defendants were taken into custody in surprise raids by Homeland Security based on Grand Jury conspiracy charges for alleged activities in opposition to ICE and Operation Metro Surge. At roughly 6 am, I was startled awake by a dozen Homeland Security and ICE agents armed with assault rifles and a battering ram. I surrendered at gunpoint, was cuffed and marched down the block barefoot in the rain. My house, my car as well as my partner's car were searched and all of our electronics were stolen. My co-defendants and I are currently facing 6 years in federal prison.

This is a blatant act of political reprisal from the Trump regime in retribution for the embarrassing failure and retreat of Operation Metro Surge at the hands of the brave residents of the Twin Cities who refused to tolerate an authoritarian state kidnapping and murdering their neighbors in the streets.

This case is designed to intimidate residents of the Twin Cities and folks across the country, into submission. It is trying to criminalize those who love and protect their community while defending the very murderers who shot them in the street, who kidnap their neighbors en masse from their homes, schools and workplaces and rip their families apart while making our community bleed.

I am launching this fundraiser *for my own personal expenses*. My life, my work and everything in-between are in disarray and in a state of uncertainty. I want to replace my electronics, save up some emergency rent and get a head start on legal defense. I set the goal high because anything I don't need for my day to day will go directly into our collective defense fund.

I cannot thank you enough for the overwhelming support that has moved me to tears. In the Twin Cities we understand to our core: Who keeps us safe? WE KEEP US SAFE! We don't back down in the face of repression and we will not be intimidated for protecting our community!