What to know as Twin Cities residents receive prestigious JFK courage award tonight

Sofia Barnett, Star Tribune on May 31, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

The people of the Twin Cities will receive one of the nation’s most prestigious civic honors Sunday, May 3, when the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation presents them with a 2026 Profile in Courage Award.

The award recognizes what the foundation described as the courage shown by residents during Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration crackdown that swept Minnesota and other parts of the country beginning in late 2025.

Here’s what we know.

The Kennedy Library Foundation said it selected “the people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota” for defending immigrant neighbors and constitutional rights during Operation Metro Surge, which the Department of Homeland Security described as the largest federal immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history.

In announcing the award, the foundation pointed to the tens of thousands of people who protested the operation, as well as residents who documented enforcement activity, alerted neighbors to the presence of federal agents and organized support for immigrant families.

“Across religious, racial, and political lines, a broad coalition of residents of the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs united in peaceful resistance despite violent confrontation and real personal risk,” the foundation said.

The recognition is among the highest-profile national honors connected to the immigration operation, which dominated headlines in Minnesota for months and sparked demonstrations, lawsuits and political battles over federal enforcement tactics.

Four Minnesota leaders will accept the award on behalf of Twin Cities residents:

The Kennedy Library Foundation said the four were chosen to reflect the coalition of faith leaders, educators, advocates and community members who mobilized during the operation.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised residents for supporting one another during the crackdown.

“The City of Lakes is now rightfully known worldwide as a city of heroes, a place where we look out for one another, and we recognize that our differences are our super power,” Frey said in a statement. “We may not be the biggest or richest city in the world, but the compassion neighbors showed for each other makes us the greatest.”

Frey will not attend the ceremony in Boston but plans to host a watch party in Minneapolis.

The foundation is also honoring Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

The bipartisan selection committee said Powell is being recognized for protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve despite political pressure from President Donald Trump.

The ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Minnesota time) Sunday at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, will present the awards.

A livestream of the ceremony will be available online.

The Kennedy family established the award in 1989 to honor President John F. Kennedy and his Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Profiles in Courage.”

The award recognizes people who demonstrate political or civic courage in the face of significant personal, professional or public pressure.

Past recipients have included former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Mike Pence, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, civil rights icon John Lewis and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Recipients receive a sterling silver lantern designed by artist and architect Edwin Schlossberg. The award does not include prize money.

_____