Protests Demand Action Against Immigrant Detention in Minneapolis
On the morning of Saturday, June 13, a significant gathering of protesters convened at the intersection of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in south Minneapolis. The demonstration aimed to express solidarity with individuals detained in immigrant centers and oppose the crackdown on anti-ICE activists. This banner action, organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), was part of a broader national weekend of activities coordinated with the Legalize for All Network.
Calls for Executive Action on Immigration Enforcement
The rally emphasized local initiatives urging Governor Tim Walz to enact an executive order that would restrict law enforcement’s ability to enter into agreements under Section 287(g) of Minnesota law. Despite Attorney General Keith Ellison’s legal opinion limiting sheriff’s offices from independently making agreements with ICE and other federal agencies regarding immigration arrests, several Minnesota counties—including Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Freeborn, and Jackson—continue to have board-approved agreements facilitating the handover of detainees suspected of immigration violations to ICE.
Community Response to Federal Operations
Residents of Minneapolis gathered to raise awareness of the ongoing abuses associated with various federal operations. They urged Governor Walz to leverage his executive powers to terminate cooperation with federal agencies involved in apprehending and detaining residents. The rally was marked by chants of “No más deportaciones!” and “No one is illegal! All power to the people!” Car horns echoed in support as protesters occupied a busy intersection, a site that has witnessed heightened immigration enforcement activities since June 3, 2025, preceding the controversial launch of Operation Metro Surge.
Testimonies from Grassroots Activists
MIRA member Mira Altovel Rezendes addressed the crowd, expressing the urgent need for change: “ICE is still here, kidnapping our families and neighbors in the early mornings and late nights! Governor Walz can end this with the stroke of a pen!” Alyssa Washington from the Minnesota Council for Wrongly Imprisoned and Wrongly Sentenced Families highlighted the exclusion of affected communities from important decisions, noting the compounded impact of enforcement and detention on marginalized groups.
Highlighting Dangers in Detention Centers
Arroyo Barnes García Torres of the Hands Off Latin American Committee for Women Fighting Military Insanity (HOLA) brought attention to the harsh realities faced by detainees, stating, “We know that people are dying in detention. We know that they have no access to medical care. We know that they are being punished without a fair trial.” Meanwhile, Drake Myers, a representative of the Minnesota Federation of Educators, shared concerns about the pervasive fear of violence impacting families and communities.
Solidarity with Detainees and Protest Activists
The renewed protests also aimed to show solidarity with hunger-striking detainees at Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center in New Jersey, where over 70 protesters were arrested since May 31. While some media outlets praised Governor Mikie Sherrill for exercising executive authority against ICE’s actions in New Jersey, grassroots activists expressed disappointment over the deployment of state police to manage demonstrators.
Advocating for Comprehensive Legislative Changes
In light of concerns that Appleton Prison may be reopened for ICE use in Minnesota, MIRAC has called for Governor Walz and state legislators to take decisive action. Their demands include prohibiting 287(g) agreements, banning immigration enforcement agencies from operating near educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and places of worship, and ensuring adequate protections for anti-ICE protesters from political repercussions. Additionally, they advocate for just treatment of victims of ICE-related actions and the implementation of a statewide eviction moratorium.
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