MPS cancels classes, excessive use of force by ICE reported at Roosevelt High School

Minneapolis Public Schools has cancelled classes for the next two days (Jan. 8 and 9) after ICE enforcement in south Minneapolis, including what eyewitnesses say was excessive use of force at Roosevelt High School.

Eyewitness reported seeing hundreds of observers and six to 15 ICE vehicles outside of Roosevelt High School in the afternoon on Jan. 7. They had already taken someone into custody, and shortly after chased an observer onto school property and deployed tear gas or pepper spray. According to one observer, a person was chased and tackled very, very hard to the ground. They also said U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was on school property.

This observer, who spoke anonymously, said ICE agents smashed the window of the vehicle and took the person in it. The person was reportedly on the phone with their roommate when they got pulled over and was in fear of their life. “They told their roommate they thought they were gonna die.”

Another eyewitness, a staff member from the school, reported seeing a line of ICE vehicles and called students who were across the street back into the building to be safe. This observer said several of the agents were yelling at one of the Latino staff members and may have put hands on the staff person. They fell onto the snow, and then “several ICE people pounced.” The Latino staff member was released, but they took someone who was coming to his defense, also a person of color.

This witness, who also spoke anonymously, said no students were taken. They expressed concern over students who aren’t going to school right now because they are afraid of being taken as well as students who are witnessing these traumatic incidents.

Earlier in the day, an ICE agent shot a woman in the head and killed her near Portland and 34th. There was ICE activity at multiple locations around the Southside. Find additional coverage elsewhere on our website and social media accounts.