A somber memorial for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Minneapolis residents killed in confrontations with federal agents, quickly devolved into unrest Saturday, culminating in at least 42 arrests outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building.
The gathering, held exactly one month after Good’s death, initially served as a tribute in Powderhorn Park before shifting to the federal building, where tensions rapidly escalated. Footage reveals a scene of defiance as protesters tore down police barricades and directed objects toward law enforcement.
Despite claims of a “peaceful” demonstration amplified through a megaphone, the atmosphere was charged with antagonism. Many protesters donned gas masks, signaling a preparedness for confrontation as they chanted slogans demanding justice.
The arrests followed a period of escalating friction between protesters and state patrol officers, who responded to the increasingly disruptive actions. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the significant number of individuals taken into custody.
The unrest unfolded against a backdrop of growing criticism leveled against federal immigration enforcement tactics. Minnesota’s Governor and the city’s Mayor have publicly accused federal authorities of overreach, alleging violations of constitutional rights and the targeting of minority communities.
Concerns centered on reports of warrantless searches and the perceived weaponization of the Department of Justice, fueling demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to withdraw from the state. These accusations gained momentum in January following the deaths of Good and Pretti.
Amidst mounting pressure and escalating protests, a significant shift occurred Wednesday when Tom Homan, a White House advisor on border security, ordered the withdrawal of 700 federal agents from Minneapolis. This decision came as a direct response to the rising anxieties and public outcry.
While the city’s Mayor publicly expressed solidarity with those remembering Good and Pretti, framing the initial gathering as an act of “spreading love,” his statement notably omitted any mention of the subsequent violence and arrests that marred the day.
