MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison went to court to order President Trump to withdraw 2,000-plus combat-equipped deportation agents from the Twin Cities. The suit, filed in federal court, seeks to end:
> Using force against individuals peacefully engaging in constitutionally protected speech.
> Arresting, threatening and using force against innocent bystanders
> Pointing firearms at individuals who pose no threat to DHS agents.
> Carrying out enforcement actions at sensitive locations like schools, churches and hospitals.
The suit was filed on behalf of the state and the cites of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It names the federal Department of Homeland Security and related agencies that launched Operation Metro Surge in early December. Massive arrests followed, ostensibly aimed at violent immigrants but actually have been heavy handed political retribution aimed at Minnesota’s Trump-unfriendly political leadership. The Trump excesses became painfully personified when an agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Wood last week. She was neither an illegal immigrant nor a criminal. Details alleged in the lawsuit:
News conference. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey flanked to his right by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and to his left by St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. They call Trump’s Operation Metro Surge disruptions as pure nastiness for political revenge, with immigration crackdown as a ruse.
> Armed and masked Trump agents have stormed the Twin Cities to conduct militarized raids and carry out dangerous, illegal and unconstitutional stops and arrests, all under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement.
> These agents have brazenly and repeatedly deployed excessive force and spread terror throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.
> Tangible harm has resulted. Municipalities have been forced to divert local law enforcement resources away from their normal public safety duties.
> Emergency responder resources have been strained, and schools have been forced into lockdowns and closures to protect students.
> Some local businesses have lost 50% to 80% of their customer base because they are fearful for their safety to venture out.
> The rights of Minnesotans have been violated time and time again.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee of equal sovereignty between state and federal governments. Also alleged are violations of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and freedom to criticize government. Also ignored by Trump, the suit says: The U.S. Administrative Procedure Act, which prohibits federal agency actions that are arbitrary and capricious.
Verbatim
Frey: “Minneapolis didn’t ask for this operation, but we’re paying the price. When federal actions undermine public safety, harm our neighbors, and violate constitutional rights, we have a responsibility to act. That’s exactly what we’re doing today.”
Verbatim
Her: “Federal law enforcement’s occupation of our city is putting us all at risk. They’ve come into Saint Paul and needlessly invaded our neighborhoods and homes; they’re targeting us based on what we look and sound like. Our residents are scared, and as local officials, we have a responsibility to act.”
Verbatim
To the court: “Peaceful bystanders and law-abiding citizens have been arrested, had riot control munitions and chemical irritants used against them, had guns pointed at them, and more. Many United States citizens have been the victims of unlawful racial profiling by DHS agents due to the color of their skin or, in the words of one ICE agent, because ‘I can hear you don’t have the same accent as me.’ These individuals are frequently handcuffed and detained for hours by DHS agents for no reason. Immigration agents have targeted individuals in sensitive locations, including schools, medical facilities, places of worship, daycares, and funeral homes.”