Springsteen’s Streets of Minneapolis Celebrates City Resilience

Bruce Springsteen’s new song Streets of Minneapolis hit me hard. Written in response to the recent violence and deadly shootings in the city during immigration enforcement operations, it feels like more than a song—it’s a mournful, honest reflection on loss and endurance. Listening to lyrics like “even amid shattered glass and fresh tears, the heart and spirit of Minneapolis stand strong on its streets,” I could feel the pain, but also the courage of a city refusing to break. Streets of Minneapolis captures raw emotion and quiet defiance, and for me, it’s a reminder of the resilience of communities facing oppression and the human spirit’s refusal to be silenced.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’m genuinely surprised that Bob Dylan hasn’t used his voice or music to respond to what’s happening in Minneapolis. With his long history of writing songs that challenge injustice and give a voice to ordinary people, it seems natural to expect him to weigh in on the recent fatal shootings by federal immigration agents and the widespread public outcry they sparked. Even at 84 in 2025, Dylan is still closely associated with concerns about free speech and artistic expression. Considering he grew up in the area, it feels like a missed opportunity. Neil Young, on the other hand, has been actively involved, lending his support to causes challenging government actions.