Chaos erupted at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as police arrested roughly 100 religious figures blocking Terminal 1 in protest against ICE partnerships. Faith in Minnesota detailed how the faith leaders prayed together, blocking roads and amplifying voices of those detained by immigration authorities.
The demonstration demanded Delta Airlines and Signature Aviation cease aiding ICE, which has deported about 2,000 from the airport and nabbed 12 employees, per union reports. It tied into ‘ICE Out of Minnesota: A Day of Truth and Freedom,’ a massive effort closing 700+ businesses and rallying communities to shun work, stores, and schools.
Background tensions trace to January 7, when ICE’s Jonathan Ross shot dead 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Good during a raid, igniting persistent unrest. Protesters extended their reach, obstructing the path to ICE’s federal building office, where they smashed car windows with ice before authorities dispersed the crowd after hours, according to Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
This wasn’t mere disruption; it was a profound act of conscience, with clergy sharing detainee ordeals to humanize the crisis. As the arrested leaders face court, Faith in Minnesota pledges unrelenting pressure on airlines and officials. The airport arrests symbolize a broader uprising against perceived overreach, setting the stage for intensified debates on immigration in Minnesota and beyond.