Minneapolis Residents Employ DIY Roundabouts to Protest ICE
– Residents in Minneapolis are taking matters into their own hands, constructing makeshift traffic circles on city streets as a means of slowing traffic and demonstrating against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The pop-up roundabouts, built with materials like wooden pallets, signs, and traffic cones, have appeared at intersections, notably on Cedar Avenue and 34th Street, according to reports. The intent is to disrupt the normal flow of traffic and draw attention to their opposition to ICE’s activities.
This tactic is part of a growing trend of direct action by Minneapolis activists. The installations are not simply about traffic control; they are intended as visible displays of resistance and a way to make their presence known.
The rise of roundabouts in Minnesota isn’t limited to these activist-led installations. The state has seen a significant increase in the number of traditional roundabouts constructed in recent years. According to a national roundabout database, Minnesota now boasts 498 roundabouts, a number that has “almost cascaded” in recent years, according to Derek Leuer, an administrative engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
MnDOT’s first roundabouts were implemented in 2002 in Medford, off of Interstate 35. The agency’s embrace of roundabouts is driven by safety concerns. Research indicates that roundabouts significantly reduce the risk of severe and fatal crashes. Leuer stated that, typically, an 80- to 90-percent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes is observed after a roundabout is installed, compared to the conditions before its construction.
Beyond reducing severe crashes, roundabouts are also reportedly 70-percent safer for pedestrians. The design forces drivers to slow down and eliminates the dangerous right angles present at traditional four-way stops or signaled intersections. The design of crosswalks also allows pedestrians to cross only one lane of traffic at a time.
The benefits of roundabouts aren’t solely about safety. Cities like Edina have also adopted them to improve traffic flow in congested areas. Chad Millner, director of engineering for Edina, explained that the city has six full-size roundabouts and four mini-roundabouts. While safety is a key factor, the decision to implement roundabouts in Edina was also influenced by their ability to manage traffic more efficiently.
Studies by Kansas State University have measured traffic flow before and after intersections were converted to roundabouts, further supporting the claim that these circular intersections can improve both safety and efficiency.
The Minneapolis activist-built roundabouts, however, serve a different purpose. They are a deliberate act of civil disobedience, utilizing a traffic calming measure to highlight a political message. While the long-term impact of these pop-up installations remains to be seen, they represent a creative and direct form of protest in a city increasingly engaged in activism.
