Peter Steward Scholtes
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petescholtes.bsky.social
Peter Steward Scholtes
@petescholtes.bsky.social
990 followers 1.4K following 570 posts
I’ve written and taught. Profile photos from Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery, Mora, Minnesota, USA, 2022. He/him.
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petescholtes.bsky.social
Minnesotans marched, drummed, and danced against ICE in Minneapolis today.
December 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Beautiful ice lantern protest at the Minnesota state capitol tonight: “ICE out [of] MN.” Got there just in time to sing “Silent Night.”
Ice lantern protest lighting blue snow in front of yellow capitol after sundown. Me at protest with my sign, holding an electric candle: “You can’t disappear us unless you close your eyes.” Photo by one of the artists!
December 20, 2025 at 12:13 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
‘Veraza and his wife poured water on their crying baby’s face and rushed to the hospital. A doctor called in a poison control specialist for an expert opinion because they’d never seen such a young person pepper sprayed, Veraza said.’ Washington Post, December 7. archive.is/F1zp8
December 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Such a great movie — still sitting with the kindness, confrontation, and naked bellies spilling out everywhere.
Still from 2025 film ‘The Secret Agent.’
December 15, 2025 at 6:46 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
With protesters in front of ICE in St. Paul today.
Me with sign in front of ICE headquarters in St. Paul today: “You can’t disappear us unless you close your eyes.”
December 15, 2025 at 1:08 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Protest outside ICE headquarters in St. Paul today: “Jesus was a refugee.” @mn50501.bsky.social
Protester against snowy background in hood, holding handmade sign outside the federal building housing ICE in Minnesota, on Friday afternoon in 19-degree weather: “Jesus was a refugee.” Me smiling with other protesters a bit earlier, outside ICE headquarters, three of us with signs and one with a drum. My sign: ‘You can’t disappear us unless you close your eyes.’ Second sign: ‘ICE’ crossed off. Third sign: ‘No ICE’ on whiteboard with the “First they came” poem. A group was out here all day, though down to one self-described “little old lady” at one point.
December 12, 2025 at 11:42 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
‘In the spirit of Broadview in Chicago, please come out and support the ICE watch at Whipple today at Ft Snelling!

‘The Whipple building is where ICE gathers and leaves for raids and kidnapping people off the street…

‘All day today.’

— from @mn50501.bsky.social on Facebook
Online flyer posted 12/12 on Facebook by Minnesota 50501, with loon with glowing red eye next to ICE building: ‘Whipple Watch: 12/12/25, 5 am - 9 pm, all-day demonstration on ICE’s home turf, 1 Federal Dr., MPLS. Take Blue Line or use Fort Snelling Parking. Come whenever you can; stay as long as you want!’
December 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
‘During the solstice, the darkest time of the year, join artists and neighbors to show support for our immigrant communities and protest I.C.E. forces by lighting ice lanterns at the Minnesota State Capitol. There will be a short, peaceful program… at sunset. Organized by @mn50501.bsky.social.’
Poster from Dec 12 Facebook post by Minnesota Protests, where the quoted copy was also taken, with a silkscreen- looking graphic showing the lit wick of a candle: “50501 Minnesota: Stop ICE light vigil. Luminaria lighting at sunset. Friday, December 19, 4:30 p.m., MN state capitol upper mall.”
December 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Last two slides from same post, with petition link: www.change.org/p/ice-out-of...
‘Following up with the family: ‘Ask for permission to gather & share the following information for MIRAC so we can follow up with support: ‘Get name, phone number, and language needs of family member / loved ones that we can contact. ‘Ask if the person detained was shown a paper or told that ICE had an administrative warrant during the time of arrest. ‘Ask if there are immediate needs (getting kids from school or moving a car). ‘Ask if ICE came looking for that person specifically, or if they were just nearby.’ ‘La lucha sigue. Our fight is not over! ‘It is important to continue to show up when there is ICE activity and let them know they are not welcome in our city and they cannot continue to terrorize our community without us standing up and fighting back! And the work does not end there! ‘Join us as we continue to take to the streets and demand ICE out of Minneapolis and real sanctuary now! ‘Sign our petition: change.org/iceoutofmpls’
December 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
“Responding to ICE activity: Do’s and don’ts”

(From @miracmn.bsky.social on Facebook, 12/9)
Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) poster (in slides format): ‘Responding to ICE activity Do’s and Don’ts: Do: Document and record ICE officers and their tactics [when outside]. Send confirmed sightings to MIRAC or other immigrant rights groups. Ask the person being detained their name and emergency contact phone number. Ask ICE agents, “Do you have an administrative warrant for this arrest?” Stay on scene to gather info from witnesses and try to identify family/friends. Follow direction from immigrant rights groups on the ground. ‘Don’t: Yell or whistle that ICE is present without confirmation. Livestream any ICE interaction. Record faces of people being arrested. Escalate without the permission of the detainee / family. Follow around every car with tinted windows / report this as ICE. Send reports of suspected ICE without time, date, location. Aimlessly shout “Where is your warrant?” over and over again.’ ‘When reporting: Report possible ICE sightings to MIRAC! Include as much information as possible. Email or message us on social media. @miracmn miracmn@gmail.com ‘ALERTA: Activity: What’s happening? Location: Where is it happening? Equipment: Weapons, vehicles, etc.? Request aid: Response requested? Time & date: When did it happen? Appearance: Who? How many? Looks? ‘Spread information, not panic. We protect one another by sharing useful and actionable information, not rumors.’ ‘Documenting: ‘How to document: video (don’t livestream), voice recording, noteboook or witness report sheet. Avoid subjective language. Contact MIRAC or another immigrant rights org or the arrestee’s attorney before posting video. ‘What to document: How did the agents present themselves? What did the agents say or do to get into the house / car / business? Who was present during the arrest? How many officers were present? Were they armed? How were they dressed? Did they say they were from ICE or a different agency? Did they lie? Did they claim they had authority to enter? Did they intimidate anyone? Did they use verbal or physical force? Were children, elderly, disabled, or other vulnerable people present? Did they handcuff anyone in front of children? Did they use discriminatory language or slurs? Did they draw weapons? Did they keep residents from moving freely? Did they search the location or belongings without permission?’ ‘Responding: ‘Take direction from impacted people! ‘Focus on listening to the needs of the community, not necessarily what you think or expect should happen. Ask consent at every turn from victims and their loved ones before taking any action that would draw attention. This includes making phone calls, talking to media, errands running, etc. ‘A note on best practices for neighborhood groups: Be aware that patrolling when not asked can freak people out and cause panic. Do not shout / whistle if you see a suspicious car that is not confirmed to be ICE! Many cars in the area have tinted windows and we don’t want to spread unnecessary panic! Don’t drive in circles around schools or areas you decide ‘need protection’ if that is not being asked for. Again, this can cause panic. Again, take direction from immigrants rights groups, and families.’
December 10, 2025 at 2:38 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Our winter auction to fund school pollinator gardens in Minnesota is open through Sunday! schoolpollinators.rallyup.com/2025winterau...
December 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Heart heart heart this cause, the person it's named for, the person who put this together, and the artists and others combining their effort and works — what a great way to help students and pollinators while shopping for loved ones!

schoolpollinators.rallyup.com/2025winterau...
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Sunday reading fromJudge Sara Ellis on Nov. 20: ‘[U.S. Border Patrol senior official Gregory] Bovino appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing “cute” responses to Plaintiff’s counsel’s questions or outright lying.’ www.scribd.com/document/952...
From the November 20 district court ruling by judge Sara L. Ellis: ‘Turning to [U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory] Bovino, the Court finds his testimony not credible. Bovino appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing “cute” responses to Plaintiff’s counsel’s questions or outright lying. When shown a video of agents hitting Rev. [David] Black with pepper balls, Bovino denied seeing a projectile hit Rev. Black in the head.’
November 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
New New Words tomorrow in Minneapolis! Come make or hear some!
Poster (headline in blackletter font): New Words at the Black Forest Inn, Sunday November 23rd, an Everything Open Mic! 26th St. and Nicollet Ave., 5:30 p.m. Message newwordsopenmic on Instagram to sign up in advance — or sign up after 5 pm.
November 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
A protester with a Wu Tang Clan flag (“because they’re for the children”) blasted Black Sabbath and James Brown at an anti-kidnapping protest at ICE headquarters early Wednesday morning in St. Paul.
Man in toothy, blank-eyed horror mask waving Wu Tang Clan flag in front of group of peaceful protesters on easement near light rails station with red, white, and blue sign reading “Restore rule of law” in the distance.
November 20, 2025 at 6:10 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Had a great time at this — and @jakerudh.bsky.social’s set was a treat!
Me and Jenny smiling in coats outside Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, with John Waters and Jake Rudh on marquee in back, at night, with showtime of 7 p.m.
November 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Happy Halloween!
Smiling, glowing Jack-o-lantern in carved red pumpkins giving off steam on paint-pealed front step next to furry tarantula toy.
October 31, 2025 at 11:53 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
New New Words open-mic Sunday at 5:30 in Minneapolis — come make some!
Photo of poster on bulletin board by Kevin Dewey, 2025: "OPEN MIC! NEW WORDS: A LITERARY, COMEDY, AND VARIETY OPEN MIC / BLACK FOREST INN 26th St. and Nicollet Ave. 5:30 pm on the fourth Sunday of every month. 2025 Dates: October 26th, November 23rd, December 28th. Come do stand-up or read poetry. Bring a friend and do a skit — or tell a story. Do what you want to do — it's your stage. Message newwordsopenmic on Instagram to sign up in advance — or sign up after 5pm."
October 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Preparation for @stereolabgroop.bsky.social @first-avenue.com — la resistance!
‘Resistance, Rebellion, and Death’ by Albert Camus, translated by Justin O’Brien, a 1961 book held in sun by window overlooking blanket flowers, and nuzzled by shorthaired black and gray striped kitten.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
If you've never considered adopting 2 or 3 kittens, I met 9 sweet ones yesterday who've been rescued and are looking for forever homes in Minnesota — sharing the Facebook link here! In the third photo, the 6 sibs are wrestling in pairs — this could be your life! www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2P...
Three kittens cuddling and looking at the camera in a scratching bowl.
October 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
New New Words Sunday! Make this the kind of world where what you love happens!
Poster graphic: “Open mic! New Words: a comedy, literary, and variety open mic at the Black Forest Inn. Sunday, September 28th, 5:30 in the banquet hall. Come do stand-up — or read poetry. Bring a friend and do a skit — or tell a story. Do what you want to do — it’s your stage. Message newwordsopenmic on instagram to sign up in advance or sign up in person after 5 pm. 2025 calendar: The fourth Sunday of every month. October 26th, November 23rd, December 28th.
September 25, 2025 at 10:49 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
This weekend’s ’O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ episode of ‘Blank Check’ happily coincided with the Laughing Waters bluegrass festival on Labor Day at Minnehaha Falls — a reminder that the scene is still alive and pickin’ a quarter century after the fluke hit soundtrack of all fluke hit soundtracks!
Four children and two dancers look on as a circle of lock-armed clog dancers twirl each other around, some with their feet in the air, and the Wild Goose Chase bluegrass band plays at the pavilion at Minnehaha Falls. Me, Jenny, and our smiling in front of the falls.
September 3, 2025 at 12:28 AM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Marched with Minneapolis neighbors today for gun reform!
Green and blue ribbons on a tree along the march route today, put up in support of the Annunciation community impacted by the mass shooting. Families with children and dogs march for gun reform around Lake Harriet ahead of us. Written on one person’s calves: “Fuck” and “Guns.” Chalk drawings and writing at Lake Harriet bandshell: “Love wins.”
September 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
Poster from Minneapolis: “We rise again. Labor Day march at noon. Harriet Bandshell to Annunciation. Join us for a day of unity. A day of community. A day of hope. Together, we stand against gun violence and demand real reform. Join us as we rise again.”
Poster from Minneapolis: “We rise again. Labor Day march at noon. Harriet Bandshell to Annunciation. Join us for a day of unity. A day of community. A day of hope. Together, we stand against gun violence and demand real reform. Join us as we rise again.”
August 30, 2025 at 12:54 PM
petescholtes.bsky.social
New ‘New Words’ open mic Sunday in Minneapolis!
Poster photographed by Kevin Dewey: “New Words: a literary, comedy and variety open mic night at the Black Forest Inn - 1 E 26th St. and Nicollet, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, August 24th, in the banquet hall AND the fourth Sunday of every month. Come do stand-up — or read poetry! Bring a friend and do a skit — or tell a story. Do what you want to do — it’s your stage. Message newwordsopenmic on instagram to sign up in advance or sign up in person after 5 pm.
August 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM