Protests Erupt in St. Paul Following Incident at ICE Protest, Leading to Multiple Arrests
St. Paul, MN – A protest outside the Whipple Federal Building on Saturday escalated into an unlawful assembly, resulting in the arrest of 54 individuals after a Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputy was reportedly struck in the head with ice. The Whipple Building has become a focal point for demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly since the commencement of Operation Metro Surge.
According to a public safety update released by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, while the majority of protestors remained peaceful, a segment of the crowd engaged in disruptive and unlawful behavior. This included throwing objects and causing damage to property. The incident that triggered the escalation involved a deputy being hit in the head with a chunk of ice, and a squad car sustaining a broken windshield.
“While many individuals are peacefully protesting, some agitators have engaged in unlawful behavior, including damaging property and throwing ice chunks,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
In response to the escalating situation, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Upon their arrival, authorities declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and ordered protestors to disperse or face arrest.
The Minnesota State Patrol confirmed the arrest of 25 individuals, contributing to the total of 54 arrests made by all responding agencies. Details released by the State Patrol outline the charges and outcomes for those arrested:
- 16 individuals were cited and released for unlawful assembly.
- One individual was cited and released for both unlawful assembly and fleeing on foot.
- Seven individuals were booked into Hennepin County Jail on charges of unlawful assembly and obstructing legal process.
- One individual was booked into Hennepin County Jail facing charges of unlawful assembly, fourth-degree assault, and obstructing legal process.
Authorities reported that minimal force was used during the arrests, and no arrestees sustained injuries. However, one State Patrol trooper suffered a minor injury during the operation.
The protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul are part of a broader wave of demonstrations occurring across the nation, as reported by The New York Times. These protests follow a fatal shooting in Minneapolis that has renewed scrutiny of law enforcement actions and sparked calls for justice.
NBC News reports that protests related to ICE enforcement are spreading, and a civil rights probe has been launched by the Department of Justice into the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Sources also indicate that Bovino and some Border Patrol agents are preparing to leave Minneapolis soon, according to CBS News.
