An unsettling scene unfolded on Minneapolis streets over the weekend as anti-ICE activists turned public roadways into impromptu checkpoints and blockades — while Minneapolis police at one point looked on and walked away.
Social media videos show agitators blocking streets with furniture and stopping cars in Minneapolis — even apparently cross-referencing plates against a database of ICE vehicles before letting drivers through.
⚠️SHOCKING⚠️Minneapolis police politely ask anti-ICE protesters blocking a street with recliners and gates to clear the way for emergency vehicles.
“We have fire trucks and ambulances that might need to get through here.”
Protesters argue back. Police just walk away. https://t.co/0qj6AfihCy
— Jenna Gloeb (@JennaReports) February 2, 2026
A barricade built from recliners, gates and other odds and ends blocked a city street in the area from 32nd to 34th and Cedar Avenue.
When Minneapolis police officers approached and urged the group to move the obstruction “for fire trucks and ambulances,” the protesters didn’t budge — insisting they could shift it if an emergency vehicle came along — and officers eventually left without enforcing the move, a video shows.
Submitted from south Minneapolis – Agitators have set up roadblocks and are checking people's ID who try to pass through the area from 32nd to 34th and Cedar Ave.
This is absurd.
Contact @MayorFrey and @MplsPDChief and tell them to shut this down.… pic.twitter.com/nXJugdeMv8
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) February 1, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety told Alpha News in a statement that “blocking or barricading public roadways creates a public safety threat because it could prevent or slow police, fire, EMS, or other first responders from getting to residents who need their help.”
“For specific examples of alleged roadway blockages in Minneapolis, we would refer you to the Minneapolis Police Department just as we would to other local agencies who would be the leads in their cities or counties,” the agency said.
Alpha News reached out to the Minneapolis Police Department for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.
Anti-ICE activists running plates
Other videos show anti-ICE activists approaching vehicles and checking their license plates.
“It looks like in our system your plates came up as an ICE plate,” a man says to an Uber driver for reporter Jorge Ventura in a video recorded Monday. “I just wanted to come through and see what was up.”
The activists ran the license plate of my Uber drive in their database to check if he is an ICE agent , this very well organized , I asked them directly about this @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/fbIrAww9Me
— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) February 2, 2026
Another video shows Ventura being assaulted by activists who were stopping vehicles in the street.
“Moments ago I was just assaulted by left-wing activists in South Minneapolis for reporting on a roadblock protesters set up and checking cars for ID’s,” Ventura wrote. “The activists grew angry when I shot footage of them turning around some vehicles that appear to be ICE agents [and] they tried to steal my phone and shove me back into my vehicle.”
Asking left-wing activist directly about this database of ICE license plates , they were too scared to answer my questions directly so they resulted in assaulting me and trying to steal my phone so I couldn’t publish this footage. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/AmtRkH4CdP
— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) February 2, 2026
On Monday afternoon, after Alpha News reached out, the city reportedly cleared the blockade.
This article was updated with a comment from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
