Maple Grove PD makes 26 arrests at hotel ICE protest
The Maple Grove Police Department made 26 arrests Monday night at an anti-ICE protest at a hotel where it’s believed immigration agents are staying during Operation Metro Surge. FOX 9’s Courtney Godfrey has more.
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (FOX 9) – A protest outside a Maple Grove hotel where federal immigration enforcement agents were believed to have been residing as part of Operation Metro Surge has led to 26 people being arrested and charged.
Maple Grove protest
What we know:
The Maple Grove Police Department says that on the night of Jan. 26, a protest outside the SpringHill Suites led to the arrest of 26 people who were allegedly taking part in “unlawful assembly and riotous conduct.”
Police say the protest was only declared unlawful after property damage and “violence” began occurring, which was no longer protected under the First Amendment.
Dig deeper:
A summary of the arrests can be found below:
- 13 individuals arrested for gross misdemeanor riot
- 13 individuals arrested for misdemeanor unlawful assembly
- 2 of these individuals face an additional charge of obstruction
- One individual remains under investigation for property damage but fled before being arrested
What they’re saying:
The department says it’s aware of current protests outside of hotels of federal immigration agents, while saying in a statement: “While we respect First Amendment rights, we will not tolerate property damage or violence in our community.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addressed the arrests on X, stating, “Glad to see some state and local government cooperation. It’s a start!”
What we don’t know:
Names of those arrested have not yet been provided by authorities.
The Source: Information provided by Maple Grove Police Department.
Maple GroveCrime and Public SafetyPoliticsImmigration
