Minneapolis | Clashes between protesters and ICE continue

(Minneapolis) Federal agents used tear gas and eye irritants against demonstrators on Tuesday, during a new day of clashes in Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, several miles away, students walked out of a suburban high school to protest the Trump administration’s sweeping anti-immigration operations.

At the same time, the repercussions of the death of this Minneapolis resident, killed by an immigration agent, reached the local federal prosecutor’s office. At least five prosecutors have resigned following controversy over the U.S. Justice Department’s handling of the investigation, according to people familiar with the matter.

Additionally, a Justice Department official said Wednesday that there was no basis for a criminal investigation into civil rights violations. An FBI investigation into Renee Good’s death is underway.

Tensions between federal agents and the population remain high, six days after M^me Good was shot in the head while driving her Honda Pilot.

At the scene of the tragedy, clouds of gas invaded a street in Minneapolis, near where she died. A man rubbed snow into his eyes and screamed for help after officers in a Jeep sprayed him with an orange irritant before fleeing the scene.

It is common for residents to boo, taunt and whistle with orange whistles when they see heavily armed immigration officers driving around in unmarked vehicles or patrolling on foot. This citizen initiative aims to alert the neighborhood and remind the authorities that they are being monitored.

Brita Anderson, a neighbor who came to support her neighborhood friends, said she was “outraged” to see officers in tactical gear and gas masks, and questioned their motivations.

“I have the impression that they came only to harass people,” testified M.^me Anderson.

In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, students protesting the immigration enforcement walkout, as did other students this week.

Later, a large crowd gathered outside a Minneapolis hotel, banging drums and whistling, while helmeted and baton-wielding police stood guard inside.

At the same time, clashes broke out between demonstrators and police guarding the federal building serving as a base for the repression carried out in the Twin Cities.

Significant repercussions

Among the departures from the federal prosecutor’s office is that of top deputy prosecutor Joe Thompson, who led the state’s high-profile public fraud prosecutions, according to anonymous sources cited by The Associated Press discussing personnel matters.

With the Department of Homeland Security committed to sending more than 2,000 immigration agents to Minnesota, the state, joined by Minneapolis and Saint Paul, filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s administration to stop or limit the massive deployment.

The complaint alleges that the Department of Homeland Security is violating the First Amendment and other constitutional protections by targeting a progressive state that supports Democrats and welcomes immigrants.

“We see thousands, plural, thousands of federal agents arriving in our city. And, yes, their presence has a tremendous impact on daily life,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

A judge set a pretrial hearing for Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security says it has made more than 2,000 arrests in the state since the beginning of December and is committed to not giving in. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, in response to the complaint, accused Minnesota authorities of neglecting public safety.

ICE tactics under study

In another case, a judge said he would rule Thursday or Friday on a request to restrict the use of force, including chemical irritants, against people observing and filming the officers’ activities. Government lawyers argued that officers must protect themselves.

The Trump administration has repeatedly defended the immigration agent who shot M^me Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, claiming he acted in self-defense.

That explanation, however, was widely disputed by Mr. Frey, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others, based on videos of the confrontation.

State and local authorities are urging the public to share the videos and any other evidence as they seek to conduct an independent investigation into M’s death.^me Good, as federal officials insisted they would handle the matter alone and not share any information.

In Wisconsin, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is proposing to ban immigration enforcement near courts, hospitals, health centers, schools, churches and other public places. She hopes to succeed Governor Tony Evers, also a Democrat, who is not seeking a third term.

Associated Press reporters Ed White in Detroit; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., contributed to this article.