More than 50 people demonstrating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis were arrested after “creating a serious public safety hazard.”
Despite media reports that the protests were “peaceful,” law enforcement officials said demonstrators outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building were arrested for the disruption, which included throwing “rocks, ice chunks and water bottles ” at officers.
“This morning, our deputies issued dispersal orders at an unlawful assembly outside the Whipple Building after individuals blocked roadways, blocked access to local businesses, dumped glass into the street, and threw rocks, ice chunks, and water bottles at law enforcement, creating a serious public safety hazard,” the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Arrests are being made.”
“Freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is a right,” the sheriff’s office added. “Endangering the public is not. Unlawful activity, including blocking roads, intentionally creating hazards, and assaultive behavior, will not be tolerated.”
“The demonstration marked the culmination of a weeklong campaign dubbed “Bring the Heat, Melt the ICE,” organized by activists opposing ICE operations,” Fox News reported. “Organizers held a series of events focused on resisting immigration enforcement actions and calling for the abolition of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to its website.”
One person was booked into jail, and 38 people were cited and released, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. Another 15 arrests were made, according to the Minnesota State Patrol, Fox News reported.
According to The Minnesota Star Tribune:
One of the protesters, who identified herself as Lexi, said Sunday’s arrests were “violent” and officers pepper-sprayed protesters at close range.
“We have to stand up for our region,” Lexi said, “and the violence has to stop.”
She said the coalition chose to demonstrate at the Whipple Building because it was the “center” of “ICE’s staging” in Minnesota.
Demonstrators continue to protest despite the Department of Homeland Security and other federal officials noting that the immigration crackdown in Minnesota has wound down.
(Video Credit: WCCO)
“ICE’s St. Paul field office director, Sam Olson, wrote in a declaration filing that as of Feb. 23, there were 270 Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers and 700 Homeland Security Investigations agents still on detail to the St. Paul field office. He noted that after Wednesday, roughly 107 ERO officers will remain. By the start of March, about 300 agents will still be on detail,” the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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