Ice and Iron: Storms, Streets, and Sovereignty

Ice and Iron: Storms, Streets, and Sovereignty

Verse 1 — Minneapolis

Sirens on Hennepin, dawn cut by a federal spark, A Venezuelan man down, second time in weeks it’s dark. Renee Nicole Good remembered, a witness turned to light, Mayor Frey says, “Leave our city,” calls it chaos in the night. ICE vans haunt the alleys, Homeland eyes the block, A Unity day, storefronts black, the people hold the clock. The Vice President claims immunity, scholars draw the line, In winter breath, the marchers keep a stubborn, steady time.

Sources:

• Federal agent shoots Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis: What we know
• Neighbors describe peaceful morning interrupted by gunfire after deadly Minneapolis ICE shooting
• ICE shooting of woman in Minneapolis sparks protests, condemnation
• Minneapolis responds to fatal shooting of woman by federal agent

Verse 2 — U.S. Winter Storm

From red clay roads to cobblestone, the sky unloads its weight, States raise a fevered warning, the Guard moves through the gate. Flights sleep on the tarmac, wires hum and fail, Classrooms shutter windows to a white and glassy gale. The weather tongues say ice enough to break the pines in two, Northward bands like thunder paint the harbor blue.

Sources:

• As the winter storm rages, here's what to know in your state
• Winter storm live updates: At least 18 states declare state of emergency
• Winter storm live updates: Snow, ice hits U.S.; NWS forecasts 'catastrophic impacts'
• Timeline: Historic winter storm begins its sweep across the country

Chorus

Ice in the wires, iron in the veins, Streets full of thunder, headlines like trains. We sing for the living, for the cut and the scar, Hold to your neighbor, that’s how we get this far.

Verse 3 — Tariffs and Canada

In Davos glare a post goes up, a sudden tariff wall, A warning to the maple line, don’t be a drop-off stall. Yesterday’s nod turns razor, words freighted, fierce, and wild, He calls the prime minister “Governor,” borders running riled. Deals of cars for harvests, glossy paint for grain, Middle powers link their arms, standing in the rain.

Sources:

• Trump threatens to impose 100% tariff if Canada makes deal with China
• Trump threatens 100 percent tariff on Canada over China deal
• Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over its new trade deal with China
• Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff over its trade deal with China

Verse 4 — Greenland

Then a pivot in the Alps, a “framework” sketched in frost, Tariff drums go quiet, Europe’s levy lines are lost. No force for Greenland’s shoreline, just stones and tempered steel, More boots on icy runways, rare earths in the deal. Denmark says not for sale, the island draws a line, NATO swears no crown of rule will change in wintertime.

Sources:

• Heavy snow and rainfall kill 61, injure 110 over 3 days in Afghanistan
• Heavy snow and rainfall kill 61, injure 110 over 3 days in Afghanistan, authorities say
• Heavy snow and rainfall kill 61, injure 110 over 3 days in Afghanistan

Chorus

Ice in the wires, iron in the veins, Streets full of thunder, headlines like trains. We sing for the living, for the cut and the scar, Hold to your neighbor, that’s how we get this far.

Verse 5 — China Purge

In Beijing halls the portraits shake, a loyal star goes dim, The captain near the chairman dragged into the wind. Another chief is questioned, the top deck swept again, An anti-graft crusade rolls through corridors and men. “Unprecedented,” whispers rise, command chains pulled uptight, When trusted hands fall open, the compass doubts the night.

Sources:

• China's top general under investigation in latest military purge
• China's top general under investigation in latest military purge
• China removes top General & confidante in Xi Jinping's most shocking military purge yet
• China purge could disrupt chain of command: source

Verse 6 — Afghanistan Storms

In mountain towns the roofs give way, the river eats the road, Flocks and fields are taken, the valley bears the load. Villages cut to silence, shovels scrape at stone, After quakes and bitter years, the wounds are not alone. The blue flag calls the world to feed the cold and frail, Until the passes open, mercy is the trail.

Sources:

• Trump's Greenland 'framework' deal: What we know about it, what we don't
• Trump says he reached Greenland deal 'framework' with NATO, backs off Europe tariffs
• Trump announces 'framework' for a future deal on Greenland, drops NATO tariff threat
• What's in Trump's 'ultimate long-term deal' on Greenland?

Final Chorus — Break the Freeze

Ice in the wires, iron in the veins, Streets full of thunder, headlines like trains. Raise up the chorus, break through the freeze, Storm through the sirens, fall to your knees. Light up the blackout, shake down the wall— If sovereignty’s a mountain, we’re the echo that won’t fall.