Federal government appeals judge’s ruling that agents can’t tear gas or detain peaceful protesters
The federal government has filed an appeal of a judge’s order that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents can’t detain peaceful protesters or use tear gas against them.
This is the newest development in a lawsuit filed on behalf of six activists by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, which alleges the federal government is violating protesters’ civil rights. The lawsuit lists top officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE, and other agencies as defendants.
After Friday’s ruling, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying her agency was taking “appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters.”
Protesters and federal law enforcement have repeatedly clashed since Operation Metro Surge began. Tensions escalated after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot civilian Renee Good on Jan. 7.
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This article contains reporting from the Associated Press.
