The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is calling for the immediate release of tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Three out of the four tribal members arrested have been transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling, with one released from detention. The tribe has asserted that tribal members are not subject to immigration jurisdiction and has refused to enter an agreement with ICE. Concerns are raised due to the history of Fort Snelling and previous incidents of ICE detaining tribal members.
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In Minneapolis, unions and community groups announced a day of action on January 23rd to protest federal immigration actions. The collective action encourages Minnesotans to refrain from work, school, and shopping, with support from prominent labor unions and community organizations. The demonstration aims to address violence, family separations, and the perceived assault by federal authorities on the state’s residents. Organizers emphasize the importance of unity and collective action, recognizing this as a form of resistance until conditions improve.
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The Department of Justice has stated that it will not investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced there was “no basis” for a criminal civil rights investigation into the incident, which occurred on January 7th. The decision comes despite widespread protests and a national poll indicating over half of Americans believe the shooting was unjustified. While declining to investigate the shooting, the DOJ is reportedly moving to investigate Good’s widow.
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Following the decision not to pursue a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent, at least six career prosecutors, primarily supervisors in the Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, announced their departure. The Justice Department shifted the investigation to focus on an assault on a federal officer rather than a civil rights violation, despite the prosecutors’ offering to investigate the shooting. This change in direction, coupled with broader frustrations within the division, influenced their decision to retire, including a prior incident where the division intervened in the sentencing of a former officer. The departures, which include the section’s chief, are part of a larger trend of personnel losses in the Civil Rights Division due to changes in mission and handling of cases.
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The Twin Cities of Minneapolis have been marked by tragedy, with two fatal encounters with law enforcement occurring six years apart in the same neighborhood. This working-class area, already traumatized by the killing of George Floyd, now grapples with the recent death of Renee Nicole Good, adding to residents’ anguish. Amidst concerns of increased unrest due to heavy-handed immigration enforcement, the community is responding with citizen-led patrols, aimed at monitoring and documenting ICE activity. These patrols are a testament to the community’s resilience in the face of fear, as they fight for their own safety and the safety of their neighbors.
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Senator Murkowski has stated that if the Department of Justice investigates Chair Powell based on cost overruns, Congress should investigate the Department of Justice to protect the Federal Reserve’s independence. Senator Tillis is blocking all Federal Reserve nominees until the Justice Department ends its investigation into Powell and other Fed officials. Tillis believes the Department of Justice’s credibility is now in question and will oppose any Fed nominees, including for the upcoming Chair vacancy, until the matter is resolved. The Senate Banking Committee’s current Republican majority gives Tillis significant power to stall nominations.
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Vance criticized a CNN headline for omitting the ICE officer’s prior near-fatal experience of being dragged by a car, implying this justified the officer’s actions. However, this argument ignores the established practice of assigning officers with a history of such trauma to desk duty to avoid further incidents. The situation highlights a pattern of officers, like Ross, using their weapons to threaten individuals who fail to comply with their commands, a pattern that ultimately resulted in the death of a civilian.
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In Minneapolis, federal agents, as part of a large-scale immigration enforcement operation, were seen ramming a home’s door and arresting a man, sparking protests. This operation is taking place amid heightened tensions following the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer, prompting calls for state authorities to be included in the investigation. Local immigrant advocacy groups are advising residents on their rights, as the Department of Homeland Security stated that this is their largest enforcement operation ever. The Trump administration has defended the officer involved in the shooting, while the administration also plans to send additional federal agents to the area to protect immigration officers and continue enforcement.
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Following the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis, videos have emerged showing escalating public outrage directed at immigration officers. These clips depict activists confronting ICE agents, some using bear spray, while being told they are not wanted in the city. In response to the unrest, Trump has reportedly deployed more officers despite local officials calling for an end to operations. These actions are viewed by some as an attempt to provoke the civilian population.
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The Trump administration secretly reinstated a policy restricting congressional access to immigration detention facilities just one day after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, according to attorneys for several Democratic lawmakers. These lawmakers were blocked from visiting an ICE facility near Minneapolis, prompting their lawyers to request an emergency hearing before U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, who previously blocked ICE from enforcing similar policies. The lawyers argue that the reinstated seven-day notice requirement violates Cobb’s prior order and is particularly urgent due to ongoing negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Cobb has scheduled a hearing on the matter for Wednesday.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Minnesota Groups Plan Shutdown in 10 Days to Protest ICE Actions
In Minneapolis, unions and community groups announced a day of action on January 23rd to protest federal immigration actions. The collective action encourages Minnesotans to refrain from work, school, and shopping, with support from prominent labor unions and community organizations. The demonstration aims to address violence, family separations, and the perceived assault by federal authorities on the state’s residents. Organizers emphasize the importance of unity and collective action, recognizing this as a form of resistance until conditions improve.
Read More