Protest Against ICE in Minneapolis Ends with 54 Arrests

Over the weekend, at least 54 individuals were taken into custody during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, as reported by law enforcement officials.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office stated that 38 of those arrested were cited and released, while one was booked into jail. Additionally, the Minnesota State Patrol confirmed that 15 more arrests were made.

In a Facebook statement, the sheriff’s office explained that the order to disperse was issued after protesters reportedly blocked roads and access to nearby businesses. They also claimed that participants littered the area with glass and threw various items, including rocks and water bottles, at police.

The statement from the sheriff’s office noted, “This morning, a dispersal order was issued at an unlawful gathering outside of Whippleville after individuals blocked roads, blocked access to local businesses, threw glass into the street, threw rocks, ice blocks, and water bottles at law enforcement, and posed a serious risk to public safety.” Consequently, there were arrests.

Officials emphasized that while peaceful protests are a constitutional right, unlawful actions cannot be accepted. The sheriff’s office remarked, “Free speech and peaceful assembly are rights. However, putting the public at risk is not. Illegal actions such as blocking roads, intentionally creating danger, and violent behavior will not be tolerated.”

The demonstration was the culmination of a week-long initiative named “Bring the Heat, Melt the ICE,” organized by activists opposed to ICE’s operations. According to the activist group’s website, they held events focused on resisting immigration enforcement and called for the abolition of both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

This protest surge comes amid increasing demonstrations against ICE both in Minnesota and nationwide, particularly following several incidents involving federal immigration agents, including the fatalities of Renee Good and Alex Preti in Minneapolis earlier this year.

The ongoing unrest is also reflective of broader political tensions in Washington, where Democrats in Congress have been blocking funding for DHS for over two weeks in an effort to advocate for ICE reform.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the DHS have not provided comments regarding the events.