MINNEAPOLIS — What began as another day of heated protest in downtown Minneapolis ended with arrests, repeated unlawful assembly declarations, and a heavily fortified police presence as tensions over federal immigration enforcement continued to ripple through the city late into Friday night.
By the time officers moved in just after 11 p.m., the streets near 3rd Street and Park Avenue were largely quiet, with only scattered groups of demonstrators lingering in the cold. Law enforcement officials said a small number of protesters were taken into custody after refusing to comply with multiple orders to leave the area. None of the individuals appeared to resist as they were handcuffed and escorted away.
Authorities from several agencies had been deployed throughout the evening, issuing warnings that anyone remaining after the unlawful assembly declaration would be subject to arrest. While the number of detainees was limited, officials said the situation remained fluid for hours, with small clusters of protesters continuing to move through nearby streets, prompting repeated dispersal commands well into the early morning.
The tone of the night stood in stark contrast to the volatile scenes earlier in the day at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, where hundreds of demonstrators confronted federal officers in a tense standoff.
Afternoon Confrontation at Federal Building
Tensions began escalating shortly after 1 p.m. when a convoy of vehicles carrying concrete barriers and wire fencing arrived on federal property. The sudden appearance of barricades signaled that authorities were preparing for possible unrest, and protesters quickly gathered near the perimeter.
What followed was a brief but intense confrontation between a woman opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a man expressing support for federal agents. The woman, holding a red heart-shaped balloon and wearing a gas mask, attempted to block the man, who was carrying an American flag and voicing support for ICE operations.
The verbal exchange drew the attention of federal officers, and moments later, non-lethal rounds were fired into the crowd. Chemical agents were also deployed as officers attempted to regain control of the scene.
The crowd surged backward as the impact rounds struck both protesters and members of the press. Epoch Times photographer John Fredricks was hit in the shin, while another independent journalist was wounded in the foot. Several others were seen coughing and retreating as gas filled the area.
Officials did not immediately release an official count of injuries, though witnesses said multiple people sought medical attention.
Crowd Thins as Night Falls
As evening approached, the large daytime demonstration gradually dwindled. By 8 p.m., only about a dozen protesters remained near the federal building.
One demonstrator attempted to slow down federal vehicles by piling snow into a makeshift barrier across a nearby roadway, an act that officers quickly dismantled.
Federal personnel at the scene included ICE agents, Border Patrol officers, and members of the Federal Protective Service. Their presence underscored the seriousness with which authorities were treating the protests, which have persisted for days.
The late-night arrests marked a quieter but still tense end to a day defined by confrontation, fear, and deep divisions over immigration enforcement.
What Sparked the Protests
The protests stem from a fatal incident earlier in the week involving 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed during an ICE operation.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Good drove her vehicle toward an immigration officer, prompting the agent to fire in self-defense. DHS officials said the officer believed his life was in immediate danger.
That explanation has been sharply disputed by protesters and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who called the self-defense narrative “garbage” and demanded a full, transparent investigation.
Video footage of the shooting spread rapidly online, igniting outrage across the city and fueling protests that have drawn national attention.
For many demonstrators, Good’s death symbolizes what they see as excessive force and unchecked federal power. For supporters of ICE, the incident reflects the growing dangers faced by law enforcement officers during enforcement operations.
City Issues Guidance to Employees
As tensions rose, the City of Minneapolis issued an internal bulletin reminding staff to be mindful of official uniforms and to clearly distinguish city employees from federal officers.
“With multiple federal agencies in town, you should be familiar with the uniforms worn by City of Minneapolis employees,” the bulletin stated. “Nobody in a City uniform will ever ask for your immigration status or participate with any federal immigration enforcement activity.”
The notice emphasized that city officers do not wear masks to conceal their identities and are committed to working with, not against, local communities. Photographs of official city uniforms were included to avoid confusion during encounters.
City leaders said the guidance was meant to protect employees and reassure residents amid widespread anxiety over immigration enforcement.
A City on Edge
For residents of Minneapolis, the scenes of armored vehicles, barricades, and dispersal orders have become unsettlingly familiar. Many businesses in the downtown area closed early Friday, and several workers said they were afraid to commute after dark.
Local shop owner Maria Hernandez said the constant demonstrations have taken a toll.
“I understand why people are angry,” she said. “But it feels like the city is always on the edge now. You never know when something is going to explode.”
Police officials said their goal remains to protect both public safety and the right to peaceful protest. However, they warned that when demonstrations cross into unlawful behavior or endanger others, enforcement actions become necessary.
Protesters Remain Defiant
Despite the arrests, protest organizers say demonstrations will continue until they see accountability for Good’s death and broader changes in immigration enforcement policies.
“This isn’t going away,” one protester said late Friday night. “People are angry, and they’re tired of being ignored.”
Some demonstrators argued that the deployment of non-lethal rounds and chemical agents only intensified public distrust of federal authorities.
Others countered that protesters must also take responsibility for escalating confrontations and placing both officers and bystanders at risk.
What Happens Next
Authorities have not yet released the names or charges of those arrested Friday night. Officials said more information would be provided once processing is complete.
Meanwhile, investigations into the shooting of Renee Good remain ongoing, with federal and local agencies reviewing body-camera footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence.
As Minneapolis braces for more demonstrations in the coming days, the city finds itself at the center of a national debate over immigration enforcement, law enforcement accountability, and the limits of protest.
For now, downtown streets are calm again — but the tension that settled over Minneapolis this week shows no sign of fading.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
