Maple Grove police arrested multiple protesters Monday evening outside the SpringHill Suites by Marriott after authorities said the demonstration escalated to include property damage and objects thrown at officers.
View on Threads
Officers responded to the hotel on the 11600 block of Arbor Lakes Parkway around 8 p.m. following reports of a planned demonstration, according to Maple Grove Police Commander Jon Wetternach. The protest was believed to target Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, ICE agents and Border Patrol agents who were reportedly staying at the location.
“During the event, the situation escalated when individuals in the crowd engaged in unlawful behavior,” Wetternach said in a statement released just before 11 p.m. Monday. “Property damage occurred, and objects were thrown at officers. At that point, the activity was no longer considered peaceful.”
View on Threads
Video from the scene showed dozens of people banging pots and pans, beating drums and using other noisemakers outside the hotel. Hotels believed to house federal immigration agents have been frequent targets of protesters attempting to disrupt agents’ sleep.
Police declared an unlawful assembly and issued a dispersal order. Those who did not comply with lawful orders or who committed crimes were taken into custody. Police said 24 people were arrested, with charges ranging from unlawful assembly to rioting.
View on Threads
“The Maple Grove Police Department respects and upholds the First Amendment rights of individuals to peacefully assemble and express their views,” the department said in a statement. “Our priority remains the safety and security of all residents, visitors, and property within our community.”
Police Chief Eric Werner said in an interview Tuesday that his department learned of the planned protest at 5 p.m. Monday for an event scheduled to start at 8 p.m., giving officers a short window to coordinate with other agencies. “It was a good coordinated effort between city and county officials that handled things in a professional manner,” Werner said.
View on Threads
The Maple Grove Police Department was assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Hennepin Public Order Group.
The department emphasized it has not been involved in immigration enforcement activities, though local police agencies have responded to anti-ICE protests in recent weeks.
Monday’s protest occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities area. On Saturday, a Customs and Border Protection officer fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man who had been filming immigration enforcement activities in Minneapolis. His death sparked additional demonstrations across the region.
