Anti-ICE activists are facing a wave of backlash after posting a video that recreated the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising scene, swapping out the American flag for the Minnesota state flag.
The video, posted Monday on X, was shared by Anton Treuer, a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University who describes himself as a racial equity educator. The 11-second clip appears intended as a protest against increased ICE operations in Minnesota. It shows six activists striking poses meant to mirror the six U.S. Marines who raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. military history.
Instead of Old Glory, the Minnesota state flag is shown waving in the wind, set to patriotic instrumental music. Treuer captioned the post, “We stand for justice and a future worth fighting for,” and added the hashtags #MNStrong and #iceout.
The imagery immediately ignited criticism across X, with many users accusing the activists of trivializing and disrespecting a moment that symbolizes sacrifice, unity, and the loss of thousands of American service members.
“This is a mockery of Iwo Jima and the men who died there. I despise these theater kids,” wrote user @reddit_lies in a post that quickly gained traction.
Minnesota commentator Dustin Grage followed up with a sharper jab, writing, “I’m once again calling for the deportation of all theater kids.”
Others echoed that anger in more personal terms. User @SmythRadio, who identified himself as a Marine, replied directly to Treuer’s post: “As a Marine, I find this offensive and disrespectful.”
Minnesota leftists “recreating” Iwo Jima with their Somali-lookin’ state flag?
Real Marines raised Old Glory on a blood-soaked volcano after hellish combat.
These clowns? Shivering theater kids LARPing in the snow, swapping heroism for virtue-signaling cosplay. Peak cringe pic.twitter.com/STzMuNXcHV
Do you think the activists disrespected the Iwo Jima image for their cause?— Myrna 𝕏 (@GigaBeers) February 2, 2026
The backlash appeared to outweigh any organic support. At the time of publication, Treuer’s post had replies restricted and had amassed nearly 600 reposts compared to just 166 likes, a ratio suggesting the video was being circulated largely for criticism rather than praise.
The Iwo Jima photograph, taken in 1945, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful images in American history. It represents not just victory in a critical World War II battle, but the sacrifice of the nearly 7,000 U.S. troops who died there. For many veterans and military families, the image is considered sacred.
That context fueled the outrage, as critics argued the activists’ reenactment crossed a line by repurposing a symbol of wartime sacrifice to advance a modern political cause.
The controversy also arises amid broader scrutiny of anti-ICE activism in Minnesota. As previously reported, some Minnesota-based anti-ICE groups have received millions in funding from Soros-backed organizations, raising additional questions about the political motivations and messaging behind high-profile protests. (RELATED: Minnesota Anti-ICE Activists Get $3.3 Million From Soros-Backed Charity You’ve Never Heard Of)
For now, the video continues to circulate online, less as a rallying cry for the activists who made it and more as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over protest, patriotism, and respect for America’s military history.
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