Federal officers in tactical gear went into a Latino community in Minneapolis. A protest followed
Share this @internewscast.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A large group of demonstrators gathered in a central Minneapolis neighborhood predominantly populated by Latinos on Tuesday. This followed the arrival of numerous federal and local officials in tactical gear executing what they described as a law enforcement operation.

Sparked by livestreams alleging an immigration raid, the protesters rushed to assemble near a Mexican restaurant and other Latino-owned businesses, expressing their opposition to such actions in a city that has positioned itself as a sanctuary for migrants. However, local authorities clarified that the operation was part of a criminal investigation, not immigration enforcement.

“As we continue to gather information, this event involved a criminal search warrant concerning drugs and money laundering, not immigration enforcement,” Mayor Jacob Frey posted on Facebook shortly after the operation occurred. “No arrests were made.”

But several dozen protesters remained at the intersection occupied by federal agents hours earlier, using cars to block traffic. A few held signs saying “abolish ICE” and “stop the deportations.”

A driver went through the crowd. At least one person appeared to have been knocked to the ground but got up and said they were OK. Protesters deflated the car’s tires; police moved in to take the driver away, and a scuffle ensued. At least one man was taken into custody.

Bystander video showed officers wearing logos from local agencies but also federal ones, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. An armored vehicle at the scene bore the initials of Homeland Security Investigations. Minneapolis’ police chief also was present.

Michelle Gross, president of the local Communities United Against Police Brutality group, said the show of force appeared designed to “terrorize people into submission.”

“This is jackbooted thuggery, and we aren’t having it in our city,” she said.

Onlooker Jennifer Davila, who works in the community, said it already had been on edge because of raids. It’s tight-knit, and “if something happens, we know about it,” she said.

“They had a white van, a black van and a tank. For a raid, that’s pretty excessive,” Davila said. “And then coming into a brown community and doing this, because we have all kinds of immigrants, not just Latinos.”

While the mayor said there were no arrests, a few protesters were at least temporarily detained as tensions grew between the crowd and the law enforcement officers. A Minnesota Public Radio photographer was pepper-sprayed and had his camera broken.

A Facebook post from the sheriff’s office said it “partnered with federal agencies on a criminal investigation and part of that investigation included the execution of multiple search warrants at multiple locations in the metro area.”

Frey said the police department’s only role was helping with crowd control, and that the department was not involved in “anything related to immigration enforcement.” Both the police department and sheriff’s offices have policies against cooperating with immigration enforcement actions.

The sheriff’s office said that in conducting criminal investigations, “We work with federal partners regularly.” A local FBI spokesperson, Diana Freedman, declined in a text message to provide details about the operation.

___

Associated Press writers Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed reporting.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Photo of a teenage girl and a woman.

Brave 17-year-old dies rescuing his entire family from a van that fell off a cliff into dangerous floodwaters.

A BRAVE teenager saved her entire family after their van plunged off…
'King of the Hill' Revival': Hank and Peggy return after 15 years to a changed Arlen in season 14 first look - see trailer

“King of the Hill Returns: Hank and Peggy Re-emerge in a Transformed Arlen After 15 Years – Watch the Season 14 Trailer”

Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Texas, and a new…
Anti-ICE Protestors Douse Themselves in Milk to Fight Off Pepper Spray at Cannabis Facility in California

Protesters Against ICE Use Milk to Counteract Pepper Spray at California Cannabis Facility

An extensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred at Glass House…
Yikes: DNC Chair Ken Martin Makes Things Even Worse for Dems When Asked About 'Globalize the Intifada'

DNC Leader Ken Martin Puts Dems in Hot Water with Remarks on ‘Globalize the Intifada’

Those questions about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani might have…
'I couldn't stay silent anymore'

‘I Had to Speak Up’

Actor Derek Dixon from “The Oval” has stepped forward after filing a…
Freed from ICE detention, Mahmoud Khalil files $20 million claim against Trump administration

After Release from ICE Custody, Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Administration for $20 Million

In New York, Mahmoud Khalil sat in his apartment holding his 10-week-old…
Is Outlook down? Thousands of users report issues accessing their email

Is Outlook Unavailable? Numerous Users Experiencing Email Access Problems

NEW YORK — Thousands of Microsoft Outlook users experienced issues with the…
Photo of a Chinese citizen detained in Kyiv, Ukraine, for allegedly attempting to export classified documents.

Ukraine Detains Chinese Father and Son Accused of Spying on Long-Range Missile Program

A CHINESE dad and his son have been accused of attempting to…
Moderna Vaccine Dangers: What You Should Know

Understanding the Risks Associated with the Moderna Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19…
Ford recalls 850K vehicles over fuel pump failure

Ford Issues Recall for 850,000 Vehicles Due to Fuel Pump Problems

Ford Motor is recalling over 850,000 vehicles in the USA due to…
Texas flood: Search for missing flood victims is personal for local volunteers in Hunt

Search for Missing Flood Victims in Texas Becomes Personal for Hunt Volunteers

HUNT, Texas (KTRK) — Crews from various regions are aligning along the…
FBI arrests self-proclaimed hate crime victim for allegedly setting deadly house fire

FBI Detains Alleged Hate Crime Victim Accused of Setting Fatal House Fire

The FBI in Houston, Texas, has recently reported the arrest of a…