In a move that’s left many scratching their heads, schools in Minneapolis have been closed for the rest of the week due to “safety concerns.” It seems like we’ve landed in some strange version of Groundhog Day, with protests flaring up once more. Federal law enforcement is squaring off against protesters at the Whipple Building, which houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) offices. And this isn’t some peaceful protest folks; this is full-blown chaos with people being arrested after spitting on officers and charging at them. One wonders if some of these protesters have taken a few tips from driving school because they appear all too eager to drive cars straight at law enforcement.
The protest is reportedly fueled by a particular woman’s involvement in an anti-I.C.E. mom group at her son’s social justice school. Now, if you’re wondering what a social justice school is, you’re not alone. Perhaps it’s an institution that teaches the fine art of trying to outmaneuver federal officers, because that’s precisely what’s happening here. This group is well-coordinated, tracking and sharing the movements of I.C.E. officers as if they were paparazzi following a celebrity. Amidst all this, Minnesota’s largest newspaper, the “Star Tribune,” appears to be cheering them on, offering coverage that some might say encourages these disruptive activities.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey have been vocal, urging law enforcement to leave “my people” alone. There’s a wealth of anti-law-enforcement rhetoric coming from these quarters, but a recent poll suggests that the majority of Minnesotans actually support I.C.E. efforts. It’s as if the politicians are speaking a different language than their actual constituents. And just to keep things spicy, the FBI has stepped in, indicating that state investigators will not be handling the case.
The fact is that most counties in Minnesota don’t cooperate with I.C.E., leading to chaotic scenes that simply don’t happen in more cooperative states. It seems like there’s an open invitation for more mayhem. Violent encounters in Minneapolis are becoming the norm, almost reminiscent of a boxing match rather than a supposed peaceful protest. The situation is so chaotic that it feels like a scene straight out of a certain action film, with activists coming from out of town, eager to join the fray.
The local media plays a significant role in this drama, often shining a bright light on these activists. Strangely enough, the “Star Tribune” flexed its journalistic muscles by revealing the name of an officer involved in an incident, as if that were the pinnacle of investigative reporting. It raises the question: where is this fervor when it comes to covering the violence against federal law enforcement?
Amid the chaos, one can’t help but wonder about the irony. Just days after commemorating the January 6th anniversary with candles and songs, it seems that some media outlets fail to report on scenes in Minneapolis that are strikingly similar. Every day feels like a reenactment of that infamous day, with people attacking federal agents with an alarming level of aggression. Perhaps it’s time for some Minnesota folks to rediscover the concept of Minnesota Nice, because right now, it looks more like Minnesota Gone Wild. One can only hope cooler heads prevail so everyone can enjoy a calm weekend.
