A far-right rally in support of aggressive immigration enforcement was dramatically overwhelmed by a large crowd of counter-protesters in Minneapolis on Saturday, leading to physical confrontations and the swift dispersal of the event's organisers.
Clash at City Hall
Conservative influencer Jake Lang had organised an anti-Islam, anti-Somali, and pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstration outside Minneapolis City Hall. He had previously suggested on social media that he intended to burn a Quran on the building's steps, though it remains unclear if he followed through with this plan.
Lang's event was dwarfed in size, attracting only a handful of supporters. In contrast, several hundred counter-protesters converged on the location, shouting down his attempts to speak and ultimately chasing the pro-ICE group away from the scene. The confrontation turned physical, with counter-demonstrators forcing at least one individual to remove a shirt they found offensive.
Lang himself appeared injured as he departed, visible with bruises and scrapes on his head. He is a controversial figure who was previously charged in connection with the 6 January Capitol attack, receiving clemency from Donald Trump. Lang has since announced a run for the US Senate in Florida.
Background of Rising Tensions
The heated demonstration occurred against a backdrop of significantly heightened immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. Since early January, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has brought in more than 2,000 federal officers, leading to daily protests. Demonstrators have decried aggressive tactics, including officers pulling people from homes and vehicles.
This operation has already claimed at least one life: Renee Good, a US citizen and mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE officer during a confrontation on 7 January.
In anticipation of potential unrest, Minnesota's Democratic Governor, Tim Walz, had mobilised the state's National Guard over a week prior to support law enforcement. A guard spokesperson confirmed they were "staged and ready" but had not yet been deployed on Saturday. Police in an armoured van did arrive at the City Hall protest after snowballs and water balloons were thrown.
Legal Challenges and Personal Stories
The legal landscape surrounding the crackdown is evolving. On Friday, just one day before the rally, a federal judge ruled that immigration officers cannot detain or use teargas on peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities, including those observing enforcement actions.
A poignant personal story has become a focal point for opponents of the enforcement surge. Garrison Gibson, a 38-year-old Liberian man who has lived legally in the US for about three decades under an order of supervision, was recently arrested in a dramatic raid. Video of federal officers breaking down his front door with a battering ram on 11 January has circulated widely.
Gibson, who had a dismissed 2008 drug conviction, was ordered deported. Following his arrest, a judge ruled officials had not given him sufficient notice that his supervision status was revoked. He was briefly re-arrested on Friday during a routine check-in before being released again. At a Saturday news conference, a visibly shaken Gibson stated, "I don't leave the house," since his release.
His family had to spend $700 to repair their front door, initially using a dumbbell to keep it closed in subfreezing temperatures. Gibson's cousin alleged that White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller ordered the second arrest, a claim the White House has denied.
The DHS criticised the judge's intervention, with assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating the agency would "continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country." For protesters like Luke Rimington, the message was clear: "We're out here to show Nazis and ICE and DHS... you are not welcome in Minneapolis."
