State and city officials said Wednesday that they’re seeing increasing reports from residents of violent and reckless behavior by federal immigration officers, and that they would hold regular briefings to provide updates and share resources with people across Minnesota.
“They [federal agents] are creating a state of fear that is destabilizing our communities and making them less safe for all of us,” said state Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield. The behavior has escalated since an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good a week ago, he said.
Several officials speaking at a news conference shared their personal experiences, and reports of recent incidents in which federal agents used excessive force.
Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne said he was assaulted Monday evening by a federal agent while trying to de-escalate a confrontation between the agent and a person he was questioning at a bus stop. State Senator Doron Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, said federal agents used batons and pepper spray on musicians and customers Sunday evening outside Pilllar Forum along Central Avenue NE.
“All of these actions, this is just a fraction of what we’re seeing,” Rep. Howard said. “It’s happening minute by minute, community by community all across the state.”
The officials encouraged Minnesotans who experience or witness such events to report them to the American Civil Liberties Union – Minnesota. They also said property damage, such as shattered car windows, should be reported to ACLU-Minnesota.
Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley said the county recently launched “Operation Reconnect” to offer emergency services for residents and meet directly at their homes to ensure they have access to resources, such as rental assistance and healthcare.
“If you cannot come to us, we will come to you,” she said, adding that the county will use available funds and potentially seek more financial aid at the state level to support the operation. “Our job is to help you, the residents of this city, the residents of this county and state be resilient, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Conley said.
Regular briefings will be available for residents to watch online, but elected officials are still working to set up an official schedule. The elected officials said residents who want to share information at the briefings should reach out to them. The officials will work with nonprofit organizations, and state or local departments, to verify the facts.
Among the topics for the briefings will be updates on investigations or lawsuits against the federal government, resources supporting immigrants and available information on arrests or federal agents harming residents.
