MAGNET S2 INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Subject: Defend the 612 (D612), a Minneapolis-Area ICE Watch / Rapid-Response Network
Purpose: Create awareness about D612 and its known funding sources
DTG: 260130-0600Z
Geographic Focus: Minneapolis–Saint Paul Metro
Sources: Multiple source reporting from Local, National, and International platforms. See detailed list of sources at the bottom of this report.
SUMMARY:
Defend the 612 (D612) is a Minneapolis/Twin Cities–focused volunteer network that promotes “ICE Watch,” rapid-response, and mutual-aid activities through neighborhood-scale organizing. The group publicly frames itself as grassroots and primarily supported through individual donations, with no confirmed large institutional funders. Open-source indicators suggest D612 is most likely a grassroots-led organization with possible limited back-end support through an alleged fiscal sponsor.
BACKGROUND:
Self-description/identity: D612 describes itself as a “grassroots volunteer attempt” to connect community members and neighbors. (Defend612) The homepage message frames its mission as community self-protection (“We keep us safe”). (Defend612)
Context narrative: In a January 1, 2026 post, D612 describes 2025–2026 as a period of “federal occupation,” stating that “thousands of neighbors got involved in ICE Watch, Rapid Response, and Mutual Aid efforts.” (Defend612)
Public-facing infrastructure: D612 maintains pages for resources, events, and an art archive (including submission via a Proton Mail address). (Defend612)
SITUATION:
D612 activities and content (publicly visible)
Resource aggregation: D612 lists local resources such as an “MN Emergency Legal Guide,” “MN Community Response Resources,” and “Best Practices for ICE Watch / Patrol,” plus national “guides and toolkits.” (Defend612) D612 notes it did not create linked documents and that some linked documents may change over time. (Defend612)
Visibility/mobilization: D612’s donation page describes fundraising for “Community Protector Vests” and other visibility items (e.g., T-shirts, whistles, lawn signs) to “visibly flood the streets” with identifiable volunteers; it also provides a contact email for large donations. (Defend612)
Messaging: D612’s “ICE-OUT 1/1/26” post calls for organizing and joining neighborhood patrol/rapid-response activity. (Defend612)
Events: D612 posts event notices (e.g., gatherings at federal facilities) under its events page. (Defend612)
External reporting context (Twin Cities “rapid response” ecosystem)
Axios and AP describe a broader Twin Cities rapid-response environment in which volunteers use encrypted communications, warning whistles/horns, and on-scene witnessing/recording to document enforcement and (per volunteer beliefs) deter detentions through the presence of observers and crowds. (Axios)
Note: These articles describe a wider ecosystem and do not necessarily attribute every described practice specifically to D612.
FUNDING
1) Individual Donations (Direct Fundraising)
D612 solicits individual donations on its own website to fund items such as “community protector vests” and other visibility materials for neighborhood patrols and rapid responders.
2) Fiscal Sponsorship via Cooperation Cannon River (CCR) — Alleged but Reported
Multiple secondary sources report that Defend the 612 is operating under fiscal sponsorship from Cooperation Cannon River (CCR), a Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 82-0852275), meaning CCR may handle donations, financial management, and tax-exempt status on D612’s behalf. This arrangement has been cited in reporting and in a complaint to the IRS regarding CCR’s tax-exempt status as it relates to D612’s activities.
3) Funders of CCR (According to Some Reporting)
A conservative outlet reported that CCR has received grants from progressive philanthropic entities in prior years, though none of these grants have been publicly tied directly to D612’s ICE Watch work:
- The Solutions Project — ~$50,000 (2023)
- Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors — ~$15,517 (2023)
- Amalgamated Charitable — ~$10,000 (2022)
- Tides Foundation — ~$10,000
- Proteus Fund — ~$10,000
There is no publicly available audit or financial statement showing these funds were directed to D612.
4) No Evidence of Major Corporate or Public Funding
No credible documentation shows D612 receiving direct funding from major corporations, government grants, or large national foundations.
COMMENTS/ASSESSMENT
Organizational profile
D612 appears publicly as a decentralized, volunteer-oriented network rather than a conventional nonprofit with published leadership rosters or annual reports. Its messaging emphasizes community participation, visibility, and rapid-response organizing.
Likelihood Assessment: Grassroots Character
It is moderately to highly likely that Defend the 612 operates as a primarily grassroots, volunteer-driven organization. Supporting indicators include self-identification as grassroots, absence of independent IRS filings, reliance on small-dollar donations, and decentralized operating style.
However, unresolved allegations of fiscal sponsorship by Cooperation Cannon River indicate a reasonable possibility of limited back-end administrative or financial support. While there is no documented evidence of large-scale institutional control or foundation-directed programming, when viewing their tactics and organization complexity no sponsorship comes into question.
Potential public-safety and business impacts (Twin Cities)
This is a risk-of-impact assessment (not an allegation of illegal conduct):
- Public order: Patrol/rapid-response activity and high-visibility signaling may increase friction around enforcement operations.
- Business impacts: Localized disruptions (noise, traffic, altered foot traffic, short-notice closures) may occur near flashpoints.
- Reputational pressure: Businesses near activity areas may experience public pressure to align with or distance themselves from activism.
OVERALL THREAT ASSESSMENT
Situational disruption and localized disorder around enforcement operations and protests, with secondary effects on nearby businesses and traffic.
MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Consider the following recommendations.
- Stay away from involved areas
- If you must venture into these areas, do not go alone
- If you live in the vicinity of these areas, conspire with neighbors to keep watch for migrating involvement
- If you need help contact MAGNET S2 via any of the SitRep methods
Additional S2 reports will follow detailing each ICE Watch and rapid-response groups individually. Each report will outline stated purpose, organizational structure, funding context, and assessed public-safety and business impact.
For additional info related to this subject, refer to the following reports:
https://magnethf.com/250907-0030z/
https://magnethf.com/260109-0038z/
https://magnethf.com/260127-2300z/
SOURCE LIST
Defend the 612 (Official Website)
https://defend612.com/
https://defend612.com/about/
https://defend612.com/ice-out-1-1-26/
https://defend612.com/resources/
https://defend612.com/art/
https://defend612.com/donate/
https://defend612.com/events/
Media Reporting
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/26/ice-watch-rapid-response-minnesota-network
https://apnews.com/article/f86ce49f26230a1e5ad1592dcac0a5a9
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