The protests against immigration raids that shook Minnesota during the first months of the year have moved from the streets to the courts. Fifteen people were charged on Tuesday with being part of an alleged organized network that sought to interfere with federal immigration operations, in a case that has already prompted accusations of political persecution.
The legal case, brought by a federal grand jury, represents one of the most significant efforts so far by Donald Trump’s administration against activists linked to the alleged antifa movement, a decentralized network of antifascist groups with no national leadership or organizational structure, which the president designated a domestic terrorist organization through an executive order signed last year.
According to federal prosecutors in Minnesota, the defendants were members of or associated with Direct Action Minnesota, a group that authorities say used demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to coordinate actions aimed at obstructing federal agents.
The defendants face charges including conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers, interstate stalking, solicitation to commit violent crimes, assault on federal officers, and destruction of government property. Twelve of them were arrested on Tuesday, one was already in custody, and two remain at large.
The indictment alleges that the activists used encrypted messaging applications, rapid-response networks, and surveillance groups to monitor immigration agents, share information about enforcement operations, and organize blockades around the Whipple Federal Building, one of ICE’s main operational hubs in Minneapolis. Prosecutors also allege that some participants used vehicles, makeshift barricades, and shields to obstruct federal officers.
The investigation dates back to the months when the government launched a large and controversial immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota known as Operation Metro Surge. At its peak, nearly 3,000 ICE agents and personnel from other federal agencies took part in raids and enforcement actions across the state, triggering near-daily demonstrations.
Among the incidents described in the indictment are the throwing of large chunks of ice at government vehicles and coordinated blockades intended to hinder federal agents’ movements. However, prosecutors have not publicly released the evidence supporting those allegations. Asked about the available evidence, Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said during a press conference: “We have video evidence, we have eyewitness testimony, and all of that evidence will roll out.”
Since the raids began late last year, federal authorities have brought dozens of cases against demonstrators accused of assaulting or interfering with immigration agents. However, roughly half of those cases have since been withdrawn or dismissed. In April, a federal judge described one of the affidavits used by investigators as a “false affidavit.”
Defense attorneys argue that the new case is driven by political motives rather than criminal conduct. “It’s politically motivated,” James Cook, who represents one of the defendants, told reporters. Another attorney, Jordan Kushner, described the prosecution as “a fascist prosecution” and said that “people are being prosecuted for peaceful political dissent.”
Bruce Nestor, who represents some of the defendants, accused the government of attempting to punish opponents of Trump’s immigration policies. “This is an act of political oppression. It’s designed to punish and intimidate,” he said after the charges were announced.
Hours after the indictment was unveiled, dozens of people gathered outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul to support the defendants during their initial court appearances. Witnesses told reporters that some demonstrators attempted to enter the building to attend the hearings, but the courtroom quickly reached capacity. Several protesters then remained at the courthouse doors and refused to close them when instructed to do so by authorities.
Videos recorded at the scene show federal officers using chemical irritants to disperse the crowd. The footage shows spent aerosol canisters and orange-colored residue near one of the courthouse entrances. During the protest, demonstrators repeatedly chanted: “Drop the charges, drop them now.”
Inside the courtroom, some of the defendants challenged the allegations. Erik Davis, a religious studies professor at Macalester College, told the judge that after reviewing the indictment, he appeared to have been charged simply for organizing meetings. Others argued that the government was attempting to criminalize activities protected under the First Amendment.
Federal Magistrate Judge John Docherty denied a request from prosecutors to keep the defendants in custody while the case proceeds. However, he imposed several restrictions, including prohibiting them from participating in protests on federal property and from communicating with one another outside the presence of their attorneys.
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