Minneapolis, MN — A dramatic and chaotic scene unfolded Wednesday afternoon at Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis as federal immigration agents were reported at the campus during school dismissal, sparking confusion, conflicting accounts, and the temporary shutdown of the city’s public schools. (FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)
ICE Agents Appear Near Campus
Shortly after classes ended on Wednesday, witnesses and school officials reported that armed U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents arrived near the school and became involved in a tense confrontation with students, staff, and bystanders. Videos shared online appear to show agents in tactical gear detaining people near the school, and the use of a chemical irritant such as pepper spray. School staff say two educators were handcuffed and briefly detained before being released. (FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)
Students and parents described a chaotic scene, with some people tackled on the ground and others trying to get away as agents moved through the area. Some students and bystanders reported being hit with chemical spray. (CBS News)
Conflicting Accounts from Authorities
Local union leaders and school officials told reporters that federal agents used force and chemical agents during the incident — accounts that DHS (Department of Homeland Security) disputes. DHS officials say the agents were responding to a dangerous individual whose vehicle had been involved in a high-speed pursuit earlier in the day, and that targeted crowd control tactics were used for public safety, but no tear gas was deployed and the school was not intentionally targeted. (FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)
Despite those claims, the Minneapolis Federation of Educators accused agents of deploying gas and detaining staff who were assisting in a safe dismissal process. (FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul)
Context: Fatal Shooting Earlier in the Day
The Roosevelt High School incident came just hours after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in south Minneapolis earlier Wednesday — a separate event that has intensified scrutiny and community concern over federal immigration enforcement activities in the city. That shooting has sparked protests and widespread unease across the Twin Cities. (KARE 11)
Schools Close Amid Safety Concerns
In response to the unrest and safety concerns, Minneapolis Public Schools announced that all schools will remain closed through the end of the week, including Thursday and Friday, citing an “abundance of caution.” The district said it was working with city officials and partners to support individuals affected by the events. (MPR News)
Parents and community members expressed distress over children being exposed to such a dramatic enforcement action near a school, and ongoing protests are planned in connection with the broader federal immigration operations occurring in the city.
No comments:
Post a Comment