Protesters Against ICE Drive Far-Right Activists Away During Minneapolis Rally
Far-right activists in Minneapolis are forced to evacuate after being overrun by hundreds of anti-ICE demonstrators amid tensions over a recent federal agent killing.
On Saturday, hundreds of anti-ICE protestors assemble in downtown Minneapolis, swiftly surpassing a tiny group of far-right activists who had intended to march close to an immigrant area. Within minutes, the other group withdraws, and there are no major injuries or arrests at the conclusion of the incident.
Anti-ICE demonstrators gather in front of City Hall, waving signs and chanting demands that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officers leave the city. About ten far-right protesters are forced back toward the municipal government center and give up their intended march as they travel forward together.
As tensions momentarily escalate, police remain visible but remain detached. The audience mostly obeys the protest organizers’ instructions to remain quiet. No prolonged physical altercations take place, although water balloons are hurled and yelling gets louder.
The far-right group exits the area on foot and makes their way to a motel a few blocks away almost an hour after the rally starts. After chanting and demanding that the group leave the city, anti-ICE demonstrators follow from a distance until finally leaving.
Due to noise and crowd size, right-wing online personality Jake Lang, who organized what he refers to as a “anti-fraud” event, is unable to speak to the throng. Lang later posts on social media that he was hurt in a fight, but police say no formal report has been made and no confirmed injuries have been documented.
According to Minneapolis police, they are aware of online claims but have not received any verified accounts of victims requesting help. People are seen on camera fleeing the scene by themselves before police arrive.
In the midst of increased tension after Renee Good was shot dead by a federal immigration agent earlier this month, the People’s Action Coalition Against Trump is organizing the anti-ICE event. Protests and criticism of the increased federal immigration presence in Minnesota are still being held in response to the tragedy.
President Donald Trump has justified the deployment of about 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul by citing alleged misuse of government funding in Minnesota. State and local officials contest that justification and attack the federal reaction.
Demonstrators claim that the purpose of the event is to express solidarity with immigrant populations, including Somalia, who are afraid of more enforcement activities. According to organizers, the large turnout helps prevent further escalation by keeping the far-right organization out of residential neighborhoods.
Both sides have left the location by late afternoon, and police report that there were no significant incidents throughout the protests.
