The protests, which Gov. Tim Walz and other local leaders urge to remain peaceful, began after a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — Multiple agencies in Minnesota, including the National Guard, are on standby ahead of planned protests against the recent actions of federal immigration enforcement agents.
The protests, which Gov. Tim Walz and other Minnesota leaders urge to remain entirely peaceful, began after a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
“Members of the Minnesota National Guard are on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies,” the Minnesota National Guard said in a post Saturday. “These Minnesota National Guardsmen live, work, and serve in our state, and are focused on protecting life, preserving property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights.”
The agency specified their guardsmen will wear reflective vests over their uniforms to “help distinguish them from other agencies.”
While the guard had not been activated yet, the Minnesota State Patrol, Department of National Resources, Metro Transit and the University of Minnesota all “stand ready,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobsen said in a press conference Friday.
“While peaceful expression is protected, any actions that harm people, destroy property, or jeopardize public safety will not be tolerated. Demonstrations must remain safe and must remain lawful,” he said.
Jacobsen encouraged demonstrators to avoid confrontation.
“I’m counting on Minnesotans,” he said. “I’m counting on those who are going to be in attendance at these locations to keep the peace, to show others that Minnesota is a safe place where people can demonstrate, can share their opinions and their voices without having any violence.”
Walz staged the state National Guard shortly after Good’s death, but had not activated them.
“They remain ready in the event they are needed to help keep the peace, ensure public safety, and allow for peaceful demonstrations,” Walz said in a statement.
Walz signed a trio of executive orders in preparation for possible National Guard deployments.