More than 50 people were arrested Sunday after anti-ICE demonstrators allegedly threw rocks and other objects at law enforcement officers outside a federal building in Minneapolis, authorities said.
The protest took place near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, where activists gathered to oppose operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office , deputies issued dispersal orders after declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly.
“This morning, our deputies issued dispersal orders … after individuals blocked roadways, blocked access to local businesses, dumped glass into the street, and threw rocks, ice chunks and water bottles at law enforcement creating a serious public safety hazard,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Officials reported that 38 individuals were cited and released, one person was booked into jail and the Minnesota State Patrol confirmed an additional 15 arrests.
Public Safety Concerns
Authorities emphasized that while peaceful protest is protected under the Constitution, criminal activity would not be tolerated.
“Freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is a right,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Endangering the public is not.”
Law enforcement said protesters blocked traffic lanes and created hazards in the street, contributing to safety concerns for motorists and nearby businesses.
Organized Demonstration
The protest marked the culmination of a weeklong campaign dubbed “Bring the Heat, Melt the ICE,” organized by activists calling for the abolition of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
The demonstration comes amid a broader wave of anti-ICE protests in Minnesota and across the country following earlier violent incidents involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Authorities said the situation remains under investigation.