Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes for Thursday and Friday after federal immigration enforcement agents clashed with students and staff at Roosevelt High School, sparking outrage and demands for ICE to leave the city.
Parents, Educators Demand End to ICE Presence in Minneapolis Schools
The incidents followed the shooting of a Minneapolis resident by an ICE agent earlier this week.
- Around 150 parents, students, and educators gathered at Lake Hiawatha Park on Friday to protest ICE activity.
- Federal agents detained a school staff member at Roosevelt High School during dismissal on Wednesday.
- ICE agents allegedly deployed a chemical irritant against students and staff.
- Minneapolis Public Schools announced remote learning options through February 12 due to safety concerns.
The unrest began Wednesday when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents descended onto the Roosevelt High School campus during student dismissal. Just hours after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Minneapolis resident and mother Renee Good on January 7, agents tackled and detained a school staff member and union member, according to the Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE). The MFE also alleges that agents used a chemical irritant against students and staff.
A school official, speaking to MPR News on condition of anonymity, reported that many students sought shelter in a nearby library during the chaotic scene. Christin Crabtree, a Minneapolis Public School (MPS) parent who witnessed the events, described the agents’ actions as creating a scene of “chaos and terror” as students exited the building. “United States federal agents created an assault upon our students and community on district property, in front of the place meant to educate, nurture, inspire, and grow our future generations,” Crabtree said at a press conference. “This is not safety. This is indiscriminate violence intended to stoke fear and division.”
Natasha Dockter, a social studies teacher and MFE’s First Vice President, emphasized the importance of protecting students’ rights. “Let me be very, very clear, immigration enforcement should never under any circumstances be on school grounds,” Dockter told the crowd. “All students have a constitutional right to a public education, and Roosevelt students saw this right violated by federal immigration enforcement agents.” Dockter urged attendees to carry whistles to alert the community to ICE activity and connect with neighborhood rapid response networks.
Community Mobilizes to Support Families
The situation has prompted a swift response from community members. Amanda Otero, an MPS parent and co-director of TakeAction Minnesota, demanded that ICE end its operations in Minneapolis and called on local representatives to hold agent Ross accountable for the death of Renee Good. Jennifer Arnold, an MPS parent and community organizer, highlighted the challenges families are facing. “Our neighbors cannot leave their homes, they can’t go to work, they can’t go to school bus stops, and they can’t go to doctor’s appointments,” Arnold said.
MPS families are organizing rides to and from school, delivering food to homes, patrolling bus stops, and providing financial assistance to families affected by ICE detentions. Parents and educators are also advocating for a moratorium on evictions, recognizing that many caregivers are unable to work due to the ongoing threat of ICE activity. Crabtree, reflecting on the city’s spirit, stated, “Here is the thing I know about Minneapolis. In this city, we love each other. In this city, we don’t only know that justice is what love looks like out loud, in this city, we actively struggle to build towards that vision everyday.”
Crabtree added, “Something I love most about this city is that we know how to organize. Do not forget who we are. This is not our first time. And there are more of us than there are of them.”
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