(Alpha News): An unsettling scene unfolded on Minneapolis streets over the weekend as anti-ICE activists turned public roadways into impromptu checkpoints and blockades — while Minneapolis police at one point looked on and walked away.
Social media videos show agitators blocking streets with furniture and stopping cars in Minneapolis — even apparently cross-referencing plates against a database of ICE vehicles before letting drivers through.
A barricade built from recliners, gates and other odds and ends blocked a city street in the area from 32nd to 34th and Cedar Avenue.
When Minneapolis police officers approached and urged the group to move the obstruction “for fire trucks and ambulances,” the protesters didn’t budge — insisting they could shift it if an emergency vehicle came along — and officers eventually left without enforcing the move, a video shows.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety told Alpha News in a statement that “blocking or barricading public roadways creates a public safety threat because it could prevent or slow police, fire, EMS, or other first responders from getting to residents who need their help.”
“For specific examples of alleged roadway blockages in Minneapolis, we would refer you to the Minneapolis Police Department just as we would to other local agencies who would be the leads in their cities or counties,” the agency said.
Alpha News reached out to the Minneapolis Police Department for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.
Anti-ICE activists running plates
Other videos show anti-ICE activists approaching vehicles and checking their license plates.
“It looks like in our system your plates came up as an ICE plate,” a man says to an Uber driver for reporter Jorge Ventura in a video recorded Monday. “I just wanted to come through and see what was up.”
Another video shows Ventura being assaulted by activists who were stopping vehicles in the street.
“Moments ago I was just assaulted by left-wing activists in South Minneapolis for reporting on a roadblock protesters set up and checking cars for ID’s,” Ventura wrote. “The activists grew angry when I shot footage of them turning around some vehicles that appear to be ICE agents [and] they tried to steal my phone and shove me back into my vehicle.”
On Monday afternoon, after Alpha News reached out, the city reportedly cleared the blockade.
