Federal Indictments Against Antifa-Linked Group in Minnesota
The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed that over a dozen members of Direct Action Minnesota, a group known for its opposition to federal immigration enforcement, have been indicted. This announcement was made during a media briefing by U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen.
Rosen stated that individuals connected to Antifa-affiliated groups engaged in violent actions against federal immigration laws. He made specific mention of a subgroup in Minnesota called the Black Cat Workers Collective, labeling them as advocates of extremist methods.
“Today, we unsealed a federal indictment charging 15 individuals with conspiracy to obstruct and harm federal officers,” he noted, referring to two Minneapolis-based Antifa organizations involved in this opposition.
Some of the defendants are facing extra charges, including interstate menacing, stalking, assaulting federal officers, damaging government property, and aiding violent crimes.
Rosen accused Direct Action Minnesota of instructing its members on using shields against law enforcement and tactics for rapid mobilization during confrontations with the police.
Notably, some members are said to have infiltrated peaceful protests at the Whipple Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, effectively hindering federal operations on at least two occasions.
Evidence against them includes a video in which a 37-year-old participant, Kyle Wagner, allegedly made threats of violence towards ICE agents, referring to them as Nazis. Wagner was arrested in February while at his Minneapolis residence. He allegedly expressed a strong desire to confront ICE, stating, “This is where ICE ends.” His arrest video shows him wearing a shirt that read “I AM ANTIFA.”
Currently, only 12 out of the 15 charged individuals have been apprehended, while three remain under investigation.
Direct Action Minnesota has yet to respond to inquiries from the media.
In related events, the Department of Homeland Security condemned the actions of the indicted group. They pointed out that charges laid do not involve mere opposition to immigration enforcement but rather assert a violent obstruction against law enforcement and destruction of property. This raises questions about the media’s portrayal of the events.
On the same day, activists opposed to the indictments gathered for a rally in St. Paul, outside the federal courthouse. Some protesters reportedly shouted demands to drop the charges and blocked access to the courthouse doors. Participants described their intention to enter the courtroom in larger numbers.
In response, law enforcement reportedly used a type of orange spray on the assembled crowd near the entrance.
