Federal immigration enforcement agents swarmed Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, resulting in the handcuffing of school staff and the deployment of chemical irritants against students, according to reports from KSTP 5 Eyewitness News and MPR News.
Details of the Incident
The raid occurred hours after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good. A witness reported seeing school administrators and staff attempting to prevent agents from apprehending students. The agents reportedly used pepper spray after students began protesting their presence on school grounds.
A Roosevelt High School official confirmed to MPR News that agents in US Border Patrol uniforms pepper sprayed and fired pepper balls at students. Video footage corroborates the use of chemical irritants against demonstrators. The official also stated that two staff members were handcuffed and that a physical altercation occurred when staff attempted to ask the agents to leave school property.
“The guy, I’m telling him like, ‘Please step off the school grounds,’ and this dude comes up and bumps into me and then tells me that I pushed him, and he’s trying to push me, and he knocked me down,” the official said. “They don’t care. They’re just animals. I’ve never seen people behave like this.”
School Response and Community Impact
Minneapolis Public Schools canceled all classes for the remainder of the week “out of an abundance of caution,” citing safety concerns for students and faculty. Parents expressed alarm at the proximity of federal agents to schools. Celia Mejia, a parent at Green Central Elementary School, had to pick up her daughter after the school went into lockdown due to the presence of immigration agents. Julia Haas, another parent, described feeling “very” frightened by the situation, stating, “Nobody should have to deal with this ever.”
The reasons for the raid remain unclear, and the US Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment from KSTP Eyewitness 5 News or MPR News.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the raid at Roosevelt High School?
The reasons for the raid are currently unclear, and the US Department of Homeland Security has not provided a statement.
What actions did agents take at the school?
Agents handcuffed two staff members, deployed pepper spray and pepper balls against students, and engaged in a physical confrontation with a school official, according to reports.
How did Minneapolis Public Schools respond to the incident?
Minneapolis Public Schools canceled all classes for the rest of the week, citing safety concerns for faculty and students.
What further steps will be taken to address the concerns raised by this incident and ensure the safety of students and staff?
