A conservative journalist found himself in a terrifying ordeal in Minneapolis, trapped and targeted by a volatile mob of anti-ICE protesters. Nick Sortor, along with colleague Cam Higby, was covering ongoing demonstrations when the situation rapidly escalated from protest to outright assault.
Earlier in the day, Sortor and Higby were already under attack outside an ICE facility, witnessing federal agents deploy tear gas and pepper balls in an attempt to control the increasingly aggressive crowd. The atmosphere was charged with hostility, foreshadowing the dangers to come.
As they attempted to leave the area, Sortor and Higby’s vehicle was encircled. Protesters swarmed the car, shoving trash through the windows and onto the hood, and even resorting to spitting on the vehicle in a display of blatant contempt. Sortor expressed gratitude for the nearby presence of federal agents, believing their intervention prevented a far worse outcome.
The situation deteriorated further as night fell. The mob intensified their assault, smashing windows with pre-frozen water bottles and spray-painting the vehicle while issuing chilling threats against Sortor and Higby’s lives. Faced with imminent danger, Sortor made the agonizing decision to drive through the crowd, repeatedly warning protesters to move.
Despite the warnings, the mob refused to yield, forcing Sortor to navigate a perilous path to safety. Pursuers then blocked their escape with vehicles, compelling him to veer off the road to avoid a collision. They even reported being followed on the interstate, adding another layer of fear to the harrowing experience.
In a desperate attempt to have Sortor and Higby apprehended, the rioters falsely reported to police that the journalists were armed. This fabricated claim led to their subsequent detention by law enforcement. Sortor, undeterred, vowed to continue his reporting despite the threats and intimidation.
Videos documenting the attacks, shared by both Sortor and Higby, paint a stark picture of the escalating violence and the desperate measures taken to escape a mob intent on causing harm. The footage reveals the chaos and fear experienced during the ordeal.
The incident underscores the increasingly dangerous environment faced by journalists covering contentious issues, and the lengths to which some will go to silence dissenting voices. Sortor and Higby’s experience serves as a chilling reminder of the fragility of safety in the midst of political unrest.
