A significant protest erupted in St. Paul on Tuesday morning as a federal law enforcement operation unfolded, with many demonstrators believing that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid was taking place. The gathering occurred near the intersection of Maryland Avenue East and Payne Avenue, where federal agents, including those from ICE and a U.S. Marshals task force, were present. St. Paul police assisted with crowd control, donning riot gear as tensions escalated.
Protesters actively expressed their dissent by holding signs and chanting against ICE as federal investigators operated inside a nearby home. The scene remained active until approximately 12:30 p.m., when federal agents began to leave. However, in the process of dispersing the crowd, St. Paul police utilized tear gas to clear protesters who were obstructing vehicles.
Despite the significant law enforcement presence, the exact nature of the operation remains unclear. Officials from FOX 9 have yet to confirm whether the activity was specifically linked to immigration enforcement or if it pertained to a different criminal investigation. While federal agents indicated to reporters that they were in search of two individuals—one of whom reportedly fled into a residential building—the specifics of the operation have not been communicated to local authorities in advance.
Former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter engaged with protesters after the incident, expressing his frustration regarding the lack of coordination between local and federal agencies. He remarked that such operations often create chaos within communities, leaving local leaders to manage the resulting confusion. Mayor Carter’s sentiments were echoed by state representatives, Athena Hollins and Liish Kozlowski, who shared that they had experienced pepper spray usage during the crowd control efforts by police.
The former mayor vowed to review the police’s use of force during the protest, asserting that the department is committed to accountability and ensuring actions align with their use of force policies. Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took to social media to express his concern over the situation, noting that there had been no prior communication from federal authorities regarding the operation.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, with many residents voicing their discontent over the methods employed by ICE and the ensuing chaos that often accompanies such operations. Authorities are urged to develop better communication strategies to mitigate community distress in the future.