Tensions ran high in Minneapolis on Saturday as a protest against ICE turned tumultuous, leading to the arrest of at least 42 individuals outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. The protest followed a memorial service for local residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both of whom were tragically shot by federal agents last month.
Video footage captured the chaotic scene, depicting agitators clashing with state patrol officers. Demonstrators were seen dismantling police barriers and throwing various objects at law enforcement, while verbal insults flew through the air. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrests, according to a report by KSTP.
Law enforcement worked to disperse the crowd, attempting to clear the road where anti-ICE activists had gathered. The situation escalated when protesters, some equipped with gas masks, continued to confront officers.
Despite the disorder, one protester used a megaphone to assert that their demonstration was intended to be peaceful, echoing the group’s rallying cry of “no justice, no peace.”
One protester screamed through a megaphone claiming the gathering was “peaceful,” while the group chanted “no justice, no peace.”
Dozens of agitators were seen wearing gas masks.
Anti-ICE agitators throw lewd objects at a law enforcement vehicle as it drives by the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on Saturday, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
The chaos followed a memorial for Good and Pretti, which was hosted exactly one month from the date of Good’s death at Powderhorn Park, roughly a 15-minute drive from the federal building.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey alleged the group was “spreading love” in a social media post.
“Thousands showed up to remember and honor Renee Good and Alex Pretti,” Frey wrote. “Minneapolis is with you—and we will keep spreading love.”
Renee Good’s sister speaks at a public memorial ceremony for Good, Saturday, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
He did not address the later violence and arrests at the Whipple building.
Minneapolis protests picked up steam in January following the deaths of Good and Pretti, who were both clashing with immigration enforcement at the time of their deaths.
Anti-ICE agitators gather in Minnesota on Saturday. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Frey have continued to accuse the administration of violating citizens’ constitutional rights by targeting minorities, conducting warrantless searches and weaponizing the Department of Justice, demanding ICE leave the blue state.
On Wednesday, White House ‘border czar’ Tom Homan withdrew 700 federal agents from Minneapolis amid rising concerns.
