Clergy Arrested in Minneapolis for Protesting ICE at MSP Airport
On a Friday, dozens of faith leaders were arrested at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This protest aimed to highlight the increasing arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the region. Organizers estimated that around 2,000 individuals have faced deportation through this airport.
Protest Goals and Participants
The demonstration aimed to urge major airlines, particularly Delta and Signature Aviation, to support calls for an end to ICE operations in Minnesota. Protesters, which included roughly 100 clergy members, expressed their frustrations through prayer and song. They shared stories of individuals detained by ICE, underscoring the human impact of these actions.
Legal Challenges and Arrests
According to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), they cannot legally limit access to the airport for operational needs. Despite prior coordination with organizers, the number of attendees exceeded the agreed-upon limit specified in the protest permit.
- Approximately 100 arrests were made during the demonstration.
- Protesters received misdemeanor citations for trespassing and non-compliance.
- Twelve airport workers have previously been arrested by ICE.
Voices of the Faith Leaders
Among the detained was Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, senior pastor at Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul. She articulated her moral obligation to stand against what she perceives as a federal occupation of Minnesota. “This is an extreme moment in Minnesota,” Tollgaard remarked. She criticized the federal government’s actions, stating that individuals with legal permissions have also been apprehended.
The protest drew attention to the broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement and community safety, making it a significant event in the ongoing discourse about ICE’s presence in Minnesota.
