Hundreds of anti-ICE demonstrators in Minneapolis confronted and chased away a small group of far-right activists on Saturday, escalating tensions in a city already on edge following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent earlier this month.

The protests unfolded near City Hall, where crowds gathered, waving signs and chanting slogans demanding that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents leave the city. Within minutes, demonstrators moved toward a group of roughly 10 far-right activists who had vowed to march through a neighborhood with a large immigrant population. The activists were quickly pushed back against the municipal government center as protesters shouted and hurled water balloons despite subzero wind chills.

Police largely stayed at a distance as the confrontation unfolded. About an hour into the demonstrations, the far-right group retreated several blocks to a nearby hotel, followed by hundreds of anti-ICE protesters chanting and demanding they leave the city. While some brief scuffles were reported, authorities said no serious injuries were confirmed.

The far-right rally was organized by Jake Lang, an online influencer who has previously made anti-Muslim and antisemitic remarks and was among those pardoned by former President Donald Trump for convictions related to the January 6 Capitol attack. Lang later claimed on social media that he was stabbed during the confrontation, but said a protective vest prevented injury. Minneapolis police stated they were aware of the claim but had received no official injury reports.

The anti-ICE protest was organized by the People’s Action Coalition Against Trump and drew supporters from across the city. Many participants said they were motivated by concern for immigrant communities, particularly Somali residents, who have been repeatedly singled out in political rhetoric surrounding the deployment of federal immigration agents to Minnesota.

In recent weeks, roughly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents have been deployed across Minneapolis and St. Paul. The heightened enforcement followed claims by Trump of fraud involving federal social welfare funds in the state, allegations that Minnesota officials dispute. The situation intensified after Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a traffic stop, an incident now under scrutiny amid conflicting accounts and video evidence.

The protests reflect growing unrest in Minnesota, where state and city leaders are increasingly at odds with federal authorities. With investigations underway and demonstrations continuing, Minneapolis remains a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement, public safety, and civil rights.

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