Federal law enforcement presence draws protests in south Minneapolis 1a313p

A large federal law enforcement presence drew protests in south Minneapolis on Tuesday. Officials from the FBI, ATF and Department of Homeland Security gathered with tactical vehicles outside the Taqueria y Birreria Las Cuatro Milpas restaurant at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. Agents carried out a simultaneous search at the restaurant’s location on 78th Street in Bloomington. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, in a statement posted online, said the operation was for the execution of a search warrant as part of a criminal investigation. “The incident was not related to any immigration enforcement,” the sheriff’s office reported. It said its deputies partnered with federal agencies to execute “multiple search warrants at multiple locations in the metro area.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey posted a statement that the operation “was related to a criminal search warrant for drugs and money laundering and was not related to immigration enforcement,” and he said that no one was arrested. While Minneapolis police were at the scene once the operation started, Frey said their presence was only for crowd control. The FBI told MPR News that the agency was “conducting court authorized law enforcement activity,” and that it did not have any other information to share. Fullscreen SlideshowPrevious Slide5 of 5Federal agents push a bicycle out of their way as tensions escalate between agents and protesters during an operation near Bloomington Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis on Tuesday.Kerem Yücel | MPR News1 of 5Federal agents react to the escalating crowds during a law enforcement operation near the intersection of Bloomington Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis on Tuesday.Kerem Yücel | MPR News2 of 5Community protest as federal agents, including officers with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conduct an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minn., on Tuesday. Tensions flared as heavily armed agents faced off with demonstrators following the arrest of a local resident.Kerem Yücel | MPR NewsNext SlideBut the operation in south Minneapolis happened amid intensely heightened concerns about federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and across the country — concerns that prompted protesters to gather in the area. Some of those protesters attempted to block law enforcement vehicles from leaving the area on Lake Street. MPR News journalists at the scene witnessed protesters throw tires and other items in front of departing vehicles. FBI tactical officers ride armored vehicles on E. Lake Street during an immigration-related operation that led to tensions with community , on Tuesday. Kerem Yücel | MPR NewsAt least one law enforcement officer appeared to deploy a chemical irritant in response. There were no immediate details on any injuries in connection with Tuesday’s law enforcement action, or subsequent protests. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara walks down E Lake Street in Minneapolis as protesters clash with federal agents on Tuesday.Kerem Yücel | MPR NewsMinneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara was seen walking with federal agents at the scene. Minneapolis police said they were not given any advance notice of a federal operation in the city; the department said it responded to the area once the operation was underway, and after the crowd had gathered. 2u6x1h