This bonus clip from the With Compassion Podcast features Erik Brandt, a graphic designer and artist from Minneapolis, discussing the protest art he created in response to ICE operations in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.
Erik describes the origin of his “Ice Out MSP” yard sign campaign, which began when a local foundation approached him to create communications opposing ICE. Inspired by the ubiquity of yard signs in Minneapolis–St. Paul politics, he designed the “Ice Out” sign — a phrase that doubles as a regional colloquialism for the spring thaw when ice leaves the lakes. Though initially rejected by the foundation, the design went viral after being posted on Facebook.
The signs became a fixture of the Minneapolis–St. Paul landscape, appearing at homes, marches, and large-scale installations downtown. Erik freely shared the design files with people across the country and around the world, with the adaptable airport-code format (MSP) allowing easy localization for other cities.
Eric also describes a public-facing art installation outside his home that he has used for years to display political messages, including responses to the murders of George Floyd, Jamar Clark, and Philando Castile.
The clip concludes with Erik reflecting on the massive community response — from the Women’s March to gatherings of over 100,000 people in downtown Minneapolis — noting both the joyous solidarity and the fear many community members felt, emphasizing that those who marched did so to give voice to those who couldn’t.
