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Topline
On Monday night, a series of arrests unfolded in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove after police declared a protest outside a hotel as an unlawful assembly. The demonstrators had convened near SpringHill Suites by Marriott, where they believed Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino was staying ahead of his anticipated departure from Minnesota.
The Maple Grove Police Department released a statement on social media indicating that they responded to the protest at approximately 8 p.m. local time. According to the statement, tensions heightened when certain individuals in the crowd began engaging in unlawful activities.
The statement detailed that property damage occurred, and objects were hurled at officers, prompting the police to classify the gathering as no longer peaceful. Consequently, a dispersal order was issued to the crowd.
Authorities indicated that arrests were made of those who did not adhere to the dispersal order or who were involved in criminal actions. By 10 p.m., the protest had largely disbanded.
The demonstrators had gathered with the belief that Bovino was staying at the hotel, although it remains unclear if he was present during the protest.
The police said protestors who failed to comply with the dispersal order or “committed crimes” were arrested, with the crowd eventually dispersing at 10 p.m.
Protesters who gathered outside the hotel believed Bovino was staying there, although it is unclear whether he was actually there.
A video published by the Associated Press showed people using whistles, kitchen utensils and planks of wood to make noise outside the building as others held up protest signs.
How Many People Were Arrested?
The police’s official statement did not specify how many people were arrested, only mentioning that “several individuals were taken into custody.” The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that at least six people had been arrested, but CNN later cited the police and said “approximately 26 people were arrested” during the protest. The final number, however, could change as police are still processing the arrests, the CNN report added.
Key Background
Bovino has been in Minneapolis over the past week as protestors in the city clashed with federal agents and immigration authorities. On Saturday, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse from Minneapolis, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents. Bovino was among several Trump administration officials who made unsubstantiated claims that Pretti “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” Earlier on Monday, multiple outlets reported that Bovino is expected to leave Minnesota soon. The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and several other outlets have reported that Bovino is expected to leave Minnesota imminently along with some of his agents, as President Donald Trump said he will send his border czar Tom Homan to direct immigration operations there.
Tangent
Earlier 0n Monday, the Atlantic reported that Bovino was being removed from the role of Border Patrol “commander at large” and he will to return to his former job in El Centro, California—from which he is expected to retire soon. The Department of Homeland Security, however, refuted the report saying Bovino has “NOT been relieved of his duties.”
Further Reading
Greg Bovino Isn’t Losing Job Despite Report Suggesting Otherwise, DHS Says (Forbes)
