Federal prosecutors have charged 15 people with impeding the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, accusing them of conspiring against the federal government through a range of actions intended to block arrests and deportations.

Charges and Allegations

During a news conference, Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said the defendants “violently opposed the enforcement of federal law” by setting up blockades around government buildings, throwing chunks of ice at federal vehicles, and “stalking” agents as they moved through Minneapolis.

Rosen characterized the defendants as part of two groups that he described as “antifa,” an umbrella term for a diffuse movement of militant left-wing activists. However, defense attorney Kevin Riach said his client, Isaac Sant, had no affiliation with antifa, which he called “a boogeyman invented by the far-right.”

Operation Metro Surge

The alleged conspiracy began in January, shortly after the Trump administration launched its sweeping immigration crackdown, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, in response to reports of fraud within Minnesota’s Somali community. The operation brought thousands of federal agents into the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, drawing fierce protests from Minnesota residents.

The indictment cites Signal communications between some defendants, who allegedly discussed setting up trailers to block federal vehicles and handing out plastic shields to demonstrators. Each of the defendants was charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.