🤔Minneapolis Neighbors Build Checkpoints to Block ICE

Adriana Stone 0 1 min read
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Neighbors Build Checkpoints to Block ICE

People in parts of south Minneapolis built barricades this weekend. They called them “ICE filter” checkpoints. Cars were stopped. Drivers had their plates run and, in some cases, their IDs checked.

Photos and videos of the street actions spread fast on social media. One local post warned city leaders directly. It said: “Submitted from south Minneapolis – Agitators have set up roadblocks and are checking people’s ID who try to pass through the area from 32nd to 34th and Cedar Ave. This is absurd. Contact @MayorFrey and @MplsPDChief and tell them to shut this down.”

Another group described what happened at one location. “WATCH: Community defenders stop an out of state vehicle at the filter blockade, run the plate through a database, and confirm whether the vehicle is affiliated with abductors before letting it through.”

Organizers shared images of roundabout-style barricades. They posted handouts asking for donations and supplies. One message from a local account said: “Police have left. The community proves stronger than feds once again.”

Local TV reported at least four blockades were up on Sunday. Videos show neighbors chatting, dancing, and playing while others checked vehicles coming through.

Organizers also circulated a longer ask. It read: “What would it take to begin coming together across the entire Twin Cities, establishing filter blockades to secure community control over zones or neighborhoods?”

The actions raise practical and legal questions. Stopping cars and checking IDs can be risky. It may cross into illegal detention or harassment. Running license plates through databases is also fraught. Private groups may not have the training or authority to do this safely.

Police and city officials face pressure from multiple sides. Some residents demanded the barricades be removed. Others praised the neighborhood efforts as protection against federal immigration enforcement.

Videos shared online were re-posted by national commentators and local journalists alike. They show a mix of protest energy and organized tactics. They also prompted calls for clarity on what local law enforcement will tolerate.

Expect questions now about public safety, civil liberties, and how cities respond to community-led security efforts. The situation in Minneapolis is a reminder that spontaneous street actions can escalate fast. Officials will likely need to balance enforcement with de-escalation and communication.

Embedded social posts and videos showing the blockades:

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