54 Arrested After Anti-ICE Protest Turns Violent in Minnesota

Protesters clashed with police, throwing rocks and ice, outside a federal building in Minneapolis

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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More than 50 people were arrested on Sunday after an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis escalated into clashes with police. Authorities said protesters blocked roadways, dumped glass into the street, and threw rocks, ice, and water bottles at officers, creating a public safety hazard. The demonstration was part of a week-long 'Bring the Heat, Melt the ICE' campaign protesting ICE operations and calling for the dismantling of the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters

The unrest in Minnesota is part of a broader surge of protests against ICE and immigration enforcement across the country, with the issue becoming increasingly politically charged. The incident also comes amid heightened tensions following recent fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

The details

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said 38 people were cited and released, while the Minnesota State Patrol confirmed an additional 15 arrests, for a total of at least 54 people taken into custody. Authorities said the protesters blocked roadways, dumped glass into the street, and threw rocks, ice, and water bottles at law enforcement, prompting dispersal orders.

  • The protest on Sunday was the culminating event of the 'Bring the Heat, Melt the ICE' week of action.
  • The unrest in Minnesota follows a series of fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.

The players

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the protest and made arrests.

Minnesota State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that also made arrests during the protest.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that the protesters are calling to be dismantled, and whose building was the site of the demonstration.

Renée Good and Alex Pretti

Two individuals who were fatally shot in incidents involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year, which has heightened tensions in the area.

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What they’re saying

“Freedom of speech and peaceful assembly is a right. Endangering the public is not.”

— Hennepin County Sheriff's Office (Facebook)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office have not provided further comment on the incident, leaving questions about potential federal involvement or response.

The takeaway

The violent clash between protesters and police in Minnesota highlights the growing tensions and political divides around immigration enforcement and the role of agencies like ICE and DHS, with the issue becoming increasingly combustible at the local and national level.