Minneapolis police have been placed on high alert ahead of a pro-ICE counterprotest scheduled for Saturday, led by Jake Lang, a right-wing activist pardoned by former President Donald Trump after assaulting Capitol officers with a baseball bat on Jan. 6, 2021. According to a report from the Washington Post, Lang has secured a permit to march in support of armed and masked ICE agents, describing the event as a peaceful gathering “intended to unite Christian and conservative voices.” The announcement has heightened concerns of potential clashes between Lang’s supporters and anti-ICE demonstrators, who have been actively protesting following the recent shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent.
State and local authorities, including the Minnesota National Guard, are reportedly preparing to monitor the demonstrations closely, with Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson emphasizing, “While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated.” Lang’s controversial past has added urgency to security preparations: a federal judge previously noted that while awaiting trial for his Jan. 6 actions, Lang attempted to organize an armed militant group, refused to follow jail rules, and posed a “continuing danger to the public.”
Despite the city’s heightened vigilance, law enforcement officials are urging residents to remain calm while they manage potential flashpoints. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions in Minneapolis over immigration enforcement, the influence of Jan. 6 figures in local activism, and the challenges authorities face in balancing public safety with constitutional rights to protest. The Post concluded that authorities were taking “all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of participants and bystanders.”