Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Minneapolis on Friday to denounce President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, turning the city into a focal point of nationwide unrest over federal enforcement actions. The demonstrations followed calls for a “national shutdown” and came amid heightened tensions after two protesters were shot dead by federal agents earlier this month.

Carrying placards critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), demonstrators voiced anger over what they described as aggressive deportation measures and the expanded presence of federal agents. Minneapolis has emerged as a central site of resistance to the administration’s immigration policies, with protesters demanding accountability and a rollback of enforcement operations.

Several demonstrators expressed fears about civil liberties and government overreach. “I don’t think our federal government should be terrorizing our people like this,” said 24-year-old Sushma Santhana as crowds chanted slogans in freezing temperatures. Another protester, Max Maffor, said the rallies were aimed at protecting democratic values and freedoms.

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The demonstrations followed an anti-ICE concert in the city, where musician Bruce Springsteen performed and paid tribute to the two protesters killed earlier this month. His recently released song, Streets of Minneapolis, has become an anthem for the movement, further amplifying national attention on the city.

Tensions escalated further after the Trump administration charged former CNN anchor Don Lemon and eight others with civil rights violations related to their coverage of a protest at a church in Los Angeles. Lemon was briefly taken into custody before being released following a court hearing. His arrest drew sharp criticism from political leaders and press freedom advocates, who described the move as an attack on First Amendment rights.

Meanwhile, the US Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, one of the protesters shot by federal agents. The developments have intensified political scrutiny ahead of a looming government funding deadline, with Democrats demanding stricter oversight and new constraints on federal immigration enforcement agencies.

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