Protesters clashed with federal agents outside a Minneapolis hotel where immigration officials were reportedly staying, following a fatal shooting by border patrol personnel. Law enforcement used chemical irritants to disperse the crowd after some demonstrators vandalized the building.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Anti-ICE demonstrators gathered outside the Home2 Suites by Hilton near the University of Minnesota, where federal immigration agents were believed to be staying. The protest turned confrontational after some demonstrators vandalized the hotel and attempted to throw objects at people inside.
Law enforcement used teargas to disperse the crowd, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS stated that state patrol and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers were called to assist Minneapolis police after property damage was reported.
Deeper Dive & Context
Background on the Protest
The demonstration followed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse at a local Veterans Administration hospital, by U.S. border patrol personnel. Video footage showed Pretti was unarmed and restrained at the time of the shooting. The Trump administration has defended the shooting, despite the circumstances.
Protesters chanted slogans such as “ICE out,” referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and graffitied the hotel windows with similar messages. Video from the scene showed two federal officers with long guns standing outside the lobby as demonstrators gathered.
Law Enforcement Response
The DPS stated that state patrol and DNR officers were working to encircle the group for arrests when federal agents arrived without prior communication and deployed chemical irritants. The DPS noted that the state patrol and DNR were no longer on the scene after the incident.
One federal officer was heard asking, “Where’s the local PD?” in a video from the scene, referring to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Ongoing Tensions
The protest occurred amid escalating tensions in Minneapolis following a second fatal shooting by federal officials over the weekend. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was reportedly staying at the hotel and is expected to leave the city after the incident.
The demonstration reflects broader opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly the role of ICE in mass deportations. Critics have argued that the agency’s actions have led to increased tensions and violence.
Official Statements
The Trump administration has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the protest or the use of teargas by federal agents. The Minneapolis Police Department has not provided additional details about the incident.
Protesters have continued to voice their demands for accountability and an end to federal immigration enforcement actions in the city.