News | January 27th, 2026
By Bryce Haugen
The High Plains Reader audience and the general public have a brand new way to show solidarity with Minnesotans amid ongoing turmoil in the Twin Cities over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. Created by HPR and inspired by the last line of co-owner John Strand’s monthly editorial, standwithmn.com is a widget that allows users to customize messages of support on social media.
“The very last line in our editorial this week is asking people to stand with Minnesota,” Strand said. “And that triggered many conversations and ideas of how we could help other people show that they stand with Minnesota.”
The widget is compatible with Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and Discord. Users can upload a profile or cover photo, then customize a message of support, including “I Stand With Minnesota” and “We Stand Together,” as well as “United We Stand” and “One Minnesota,” among others. It also allows personalization of the photo. Users can add a frame or an eight-sided star from the Minnesota state flag or place an outline of the state within the design.
“I think it’s important to stand with the Minnesota residents,” Strand said. “(ICE is) putting a level of fear out there that’s unnecessary and unwarranted and has consequences that are far reaching. I think we can do way better. People have to stand up and say, ‘enough already.’ This is not the right way to do this.”
Moving to Minnesota, particularly the Twin Cities, is often the next step for North Dakotans. So Strand said that many people from our area are personally affected by the unrest.
“It’s one of the most beautiful states and they’re friendly people — and they’re good people and it’s a really industrious, economically thriving community that’s really diverse. It’s a spectacular gem in our country with really good people,” he said. “It’s just saddening to see this chasm between peoples. We’re Americans and we can do better. They deserve better.”
January 27th 2026
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