Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar urged demonstrators protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the state to stay disciplined and avoid escalating confrontations with police, after reports that some protesters had thrown objects at officers.
“Do not let your anger get the best of you,” Omar said Friday in an interview with NewsNation’s Mills Hayes.
Omar said she understands why emotions are running high as Minnesotans react to what she described as an aggressive federal posture in the streets and harsh treatment of community members. But she warned that losing control can backfire.
“We are justified in the rage that we feel, as Minnesotans with the paramilitary force that is roaming our streets and the brutality in which our neighbors are being treated and the inhumane ways we are being described, but giving into that rage gives them license to terrorize more,” Omar said.
She also emphasized that people have the right to record and document federal officials during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the state. At the same time, Omar said there is “no justification for people to give them the PR that the administration is looking for.”
Her message mirrors comments made last Saturday by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who urged protesters not to “take the bait” from President Trump.
“He wants us to take the bait,” Frey said. “He wants those agitators to get a hold of this crowd in a way that it makes them cause harm to others and or damage to property.”
Tensions have escalated in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, with clashes reported between protesters and both local and federal law enforcement.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said a protester threw a chunk of ice at a city officer during a protest last week, and others graffitied a hotel. He also said protesters threw fireworks at law enforcement during a protest last weekend, after which federal officers deployed tear gas.
Ahead of a weekend of planned demonstrations in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a joint press conference Friday afternoon alongside state law enforcement agencies.
DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson called for peaceful protest and said the Minnesota National Guard is on standby if local agencies need assistance.
“I’m counting on Minnesotans,” Jacobson said. “I’m counting on those who are going to be in attendance at those locations to keep the peace, to show others that Minnesota is a safe place where people can demonstrate and share their opinions without having any violence.”
Gov. Tim Walz issued a “warning order” last week to prepare the state’s guard, officials said. Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke said Friday that troops can be moved “to a higher state of readiness” if needed.
