Federal agents detained people Tuesday at an industrial building off St. Paul’s University Avenue, prompting people to gather in protest.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said in a statement that ICE Homeland Security Investigations “and law enforcement partners conducted court authorized law enforcement activity and served a search warrant in furtherance of a federal criminal investigation,” which is ongoing.
People on social media noted that federal agents amassed in Newell Park on Fairview Avenue on Tuesday morning before heading to Bro-Tex Inc. on Hampden Avenue near University Avenue. The company’s website says they’ve been manufacturing and converting cloth and paper wiping products since 1923.
Outside the building, some people swarmed vehicles driven by federal agents and followed one, kicking it and yelling, “No justice, no peace.”
Federal personnel sprayed people with a chemical irritant. An observer said a protester was arrested.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and City Council Member Molly Coleman, who represents the area, went to the site.
Coleman wrote on social media that they’ve heard reports that “several individuals” were taken by the federal government and said they’re working on getting more information.
“Federal agents caused multiple injuries and deployed tear gas multiple times,” Coleman wrote. “The agencies that had a confirmed presence are: FBI, ICE, DEA, and HSI. Federal agents were seen with ‘police vests’ but we have confirmation that SPPD and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office were not involved or present.”
A person who answered the phone at Bro-Tex said the company had no comment as of Tuesday morning.
Carter wrote in a post: “Though we don’t have many details right now, I share the concern and fear this raises for our works, families, and the entire community. Remember you have rights” and directed people to stpaul.gov/immigration-resources.
The Immigrant Defense Network is planning a community vigil at the site, 830 N. Hampden Ave., at 9 am. Wednesday.
“What happened today is not law enforcement — it is an assault on our community,” said a representative from the Immigrant Defense Network in a statement. “No one should fear that simply going to work, providing for their family, or standing up for their neighbors will result in federal agents storming a workplace, detaining people en masse, and deploying chemical weapons against Minnesotans.”
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