Police in Minnesota on March 1 declared the protest outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building unlawful and made arrests after protesters allegedly hurled rocks and ice chunks at law enforcement.
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said that its deputies issued dispersal orders after protesters “blocked roadways, blocked access to local businesses, dumped glass into the street, and threw rocks, ice chunks and water bottles at law enforcement” during a protest against federal immigration enforcement operations near the Whipple Federal Building.
“Arrests are being made,” the sheriff’s office said in a March 1 post on Facebook. “Freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is a right. Endangering the public is not.”
In an update, the sheriff’s office told The Epoch Times by email that at least 34 people were cited and released, and six others were booked into jail.
The sheriff’s office said that blocking roads, deliberately creating safety hazards, and engaging in assaultive behavior are against the law and will not be tolerated.
The Minnesota State Patrol said it was assisting the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in responding to protests outside the Whipple Federal Building.
The state patrol also posted a photo of steel objects allegedly used by protesters to obstruct roadways, warning that such actions could create hazards for the public.
Minneapolis council member Jason Chavez posted a video on social media saying the protest near the Whipple Federal Building would continue until Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ends its operation in Minnesota.
“As long as ICE is still here in Minnesota, as long as ICE continues to exist, and as long as the Whipple Building continues to operate, our community is going to hold space and continue to fight to keep all of our families, all of our relatives, all of our immigrant families together,” Chavez said.
The demonstration outside the Whipple Federal Building was one of several protests against federal immigration enforcement known as “Operation Metro Surge” that have taken place in Minnesota in recent months.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Feb. 4 that more than 4,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota have been arrested since the operation began in December. A DHS spokesperson said those arrested include “murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists.”
Protests further intensified in Minnesota after federal agents in Minneapolis fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 during immigration enforcement operations in the city.
This article was originally published by The Epoch Times.
