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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Police State Takes Over Southside
Monday 21 May @ 15:44:38 |
 
(Editor’s note: On Monday morning (May 21) on Minneapolis’ Southside, Pulse staffers spoke to business owners and residents near 15th Avenue and Lake Street in the aftermath of police action on Saturday, May 19. There seemed to be confusion over what constitutes a “raid,” and three Latino shopkeepers looked upon the police action not as a wider immigration concern, but one stemming from a search for a specific individual who had committed a criminal offense which had resulted in a deportation order. One shopkeeper reported that people were really scared. He said police were pointing their guns toward the terrace above the Guayaquil Restaurant, located at 1526 E. Lake St.)
by MICHELLE GROSS
In an appalling display of police state measures, four law enforcement agencies—ICE, FBI, BCA and Minneapolis police—launched a sweep for undocumented immigrants in South Minneapolis today. The raid started with the arrival of ICE vehicles at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on 15th Avenue South and at Powderhorn Park Church on 16th Avenue South and 33rd Street in the late morning.
By noon, ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) vehicles made their way to the corner of Bloomington and Lake where at least six people were arrested. Witnesses report people being removed from the apartment building on that corner. Reminiscent of Guantanamo Bay detainees, some of those arrested were brought out of the building with black bags over their heads.
The owner of a shop in the complex stated that ICE came into his shop and arrested some of his customers. ICE reportedly also demanded proof of documentation from customers in the Guayaquil Restaurant.
In clear violation of the INS/BICE separation ordinance, Minneapolis cops participated in demanding documentation. A white woman walking with a Latino man reported that he was stopped for an ID check while she was not. “I told that cop, ‘Why are you stopping him and not me? That’s racial profiling.’”
A large number of people gathered on both sides of Bloomington Avenue to protest the raid. Many held cameras or documented the incident on paper. ICE agents were seen photographing people in the crowd. One activist was arrested for simply asking why people were being arrested. He was later released without charges.
The raids continued into the afternoon with ICE and other law enforcement officials going door to door on Lake Street, 31st Street, Bloomington Avenue and Cedar Avenue. Community members ran through neighborhoods shouting “ICE! ICE!” to warn neighbors. At least one house was invaded by agents, who removed boxes of documents.
Many people expressed anger about the raids, especially at a time where a law before Congress would grant legal status to most of the nation’s undocumented immigrants. An impromptu demonstration and press conference continued long into the afternoon, with speakers denouncing the flagrant attack on members of our community.
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