Protesters staged a “sit-in” at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) International Airport on Friday over deportation flights as immigration agents snatch violent migrant criminals from Minnesota.
The left-wing 50501 Movement’s Minnesota chapter posted a call-to-action for the protesters on social media Friday morning, saying a plane was scheduled to arrive with “shackled deportees” at the facility at 12:40. Authorities gave a permit establishing an approved location and number of protesters, but airport police made arrests after they violated “the agreed-upon terms,” an MSP spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation. The DCNF observed several police officers standing guard in riot gear during the gathering.
The crowd surrounded a gated outdoor area of the airport, held signs, linked arms and sang about how they would “all go down to jail” if necessary, according to footage from the leftist outlet BreakThrough News. The demonstration also involved “civil disobedience” by blocking traffic at the airport, leftist magazine In These Times reported, showing a picture of protesters flooding the road outside the gate.
The federal government’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota has swept up illegal immigrants convicted of serious offenses such as murder, criminal sexual conduct, assault and cruelty towards a child, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“Everybody’s got a right to live, and before this campaign fails, we’ll all go down to jail,” protesters sang in unison, the footage shows. Protesters also marched with signs that said “ICE out,” “prosecute ICE terrorists,” “De-ICE MN,” “No secret police” and “No kings,” referring to President Donald Trump. Other signs made apparent biblical references, saying “Love thy neighbor” and “leave our neighbors alone!”
BreakThrough News described the protest as a “sit-in,” with activists camping out on the sidewalk for at least an hour while chanting, singing, marching and giving remarks via megaphone.
The DHS did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment. MSP International Airport could not confirm to the DCNF whether a deportation flight actually occurred.
Jorge Ventura contributed reporting.Â
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
