First appearances for those arrested today were scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and later at the US Federal Courthouse in St. Paul – 316 N. Robert Street, St. Paul.
STATEMENT FROM MINNEAPOLIS FEDERATION OF EDUCATORS LOCAL 59
This morning, DHS agents arrested a member of our union at her home. We are still learning more information about the arrest and charges against her, which appears connected to an indictment against a number of individuals who protested ICE activites in our community this winter.
MFE is committed to defending the due process rights of our members, and our members is entitled to a presumption of innocence. It should also be said that this administration and Justice Department have repeatedly misrepresented facts about the occupation and the tens of thousands of good neighbors who opposed it, so any allegations made against our member should be viewed in that light.
The solidarity of ordinary Minnesotans, including members of this union, helped bring Operation Metro Surge to an end, and we will not be intimidated from standing up for truth, justice and our neighbors.
STATEMENT FROM THE IMMIGRANT DEFENSE NETWORK
This morning, IDN confirmed that a constitutional observer’s home in South Minneapolis was raided by DHS, ICE, and HSI, resulting in an arrest.
The Immigrant Defense Network is closely monitoring today's announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office charging 15 individuals with offenses related to opposition to federal immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota. According to federal prosecutors, the charges include conspiracy to impede federal officers, assault, threats, and destruction of government property.
As this case moves through the courts, we call for transparency from federal authorities, accountability from all parties, and a commitment to protecting the civil and human rights of everyone involved. Minnesota communities deserve safety, dignity, and justice.
Minnesota became ground zero for immigration law enforcement efforts, with enforcement actions reaching deeply into neighborhoods, workplaces, and families across the state.
Communities across Minnesota have repeatedly raised concerns about the human impact of these enforcement actions, including family separation, racial profiling allegations, aggressive tactics, and incidents that resulted in serious injuries and loss of life. Those concerns deserve to be heard, not dismissed.
The Immigrant Defense Network will continue to stand alongside community members working to defend civil liberties and ensure that the rights guaranteed under our Constitution are protected for all people.
If you or someone you know needs criminal or immigration-related support, please contact:
National Lawyers Guild of Minnesota: (612) 444-2654
The Advocates for Human Rights: (612) 341-9845
To report civil rights violations, intimidation, or harassment:
ACLU of Minnesota: https://www.aclu-mn.org/ice-feds-form/
As our community navigates this challenging moment, we encourage everyone to stay informed, stay connected, and continue caring for one another. Legal advocates, community leaders, and support organizations are mobilizing to ensure affected individuals and families have access to resources and support.
Our strength has always come from standing together. We will continue to share updates and resources as more information becomes available.
Neighbors, please be aware and on alert: Federal agents have been across the city and have arrested several community members this morning.
You can read more about your rights when engaging with federal agents here.
This is an act of political repression meant to intimidate and terrorize the same people who have been caring for our neighbors and keeping our communities safe from violent immigration agents. We condemn these attacks on our neighbors and call on elected officials at every level to do the same. We also call for all charges against observers and political organizers to be dropped immediately, and for all of our neighbors who have been kidnapped by ICE and the federal government to be returned.
As socialists, we are speaking out against political repression and state-sanctioned violence. The charges being brought against our neighbors who defended the community are an attack on everything Minneapolis stands for. The Trump administration is affronting democracy and using the state to punish those who defended our neighbors against their violent and illegal actions.
Trump sent masked secret police to terrorize our community and occupy our city. They were forced out by the overwhelming resistance of neighbors who stared down guns and chemical weapons with nothing but whistles and phones in their hands. Families were torn apart, and our neighbors, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were gunned down in the street for daring to stand in solidarity, and still Minneapolis refused to back down.
Across the world, Minneapolis residents are seen as heroes for the ways we resisted fascism and took care of our neighbors. Our collective bravery and solidarity exposed the true costs of the Trump administration’s fascist playbook. Now, with the tide of public opinion working against Trump, they are turning to legal retaliation to deflect from their massive failure to improve quality of life for working class people. The retaliatory tactics this administration is using today are frightening– but they are a sign of weakness.
In Minneapolis we are proud that everyday people on the ground took action to stand with our immigrant neighbors. Observation of law enforcement is not a crime. Protecting our neighbors against unconstitutional violence is not a crime. Standing up for and loving our neighbors is not a crime.
To everyone who has observed, responded to, and organized around ICE and federal agents’ illegal and violent actions: know that we are with you and in this struggle together. We did not stand for the occupation and we will not stand for this. Fascism lost to the people of Minneapolis in the streets, and it will lose to the people in the courts.
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