Latest news with #JasonChavez
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Federal raid in Minneapolis leaves more questions than answers
A federal raid in Minneapolis has led to more questions than answers and days of back and forth between law enforcement and elected officials. Now, the Minneapolis City Council is stepping in calling for further investigation. Thursday, they voted unanimously for an independent after-action review of what happened on Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue Tuesday. Council members say they are asking for this review in response to community concern. They want the City Auditor to take a look at the actions taken by the City and the Minneapolis Police Department during and immediately after the incident. Law enforcement say Tuesday's targeted raid solely focused on drug and human trafficking and MPD came for crowd control, but advocates and elected officials are pushing back on that narrative. "We know that ICE was present in our community regardless of gaslighting that city officials are saying," said Council Member Jason Chavez. "We need to know why there was ICE in our community and why our police department was assisting with crowd control." But Imran Ali, general counsel for the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association says elected officials are doing more harm than good. "What was troubling is a lot of activists getting some misinformation from elected leaders and that fueled the fire," he said. In the middle of controversy, a community member and business owner Daniel Hernandez is stepping up hoping to bridge the gap in his community by inviting Mayor Jacob Frey to Lake and Bloomington so community members can hear from him directly. "For me the main point was to reassure our people," Hernandez said. "People are relieved to know the mayor himself came to the heart of the Latino community to talk to our people." The council requested that the After-Action Review be completed by the end of July 31.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minneapolis council members approve audit of ICE involvement at Lake St. investigation
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis City Council members voted Thursday to let the city auditor review city's involvement with ICE during what authorities said was a criminal investigation – not an immigration enforcement raid – along Lake Street at Bloomington Avenue this week. The backstory Word of an ICE raid that spread online on Tuesday sparked a protest at a Mexican restaurant in the area of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. Protesters gathered to prevent what they thought were ICE immigration arrests. However, authorities later said the law enforcement response was part of a criminal investigation. A task force, which included ICE agents among other law enforcement agencies, executed several search warrants on Tuesday they said were related to human trafficking, drugs, and money laundering. Images from protesters showed law enforcement, again including Homeland Security and ICE agents among FBI, deputies, and other officers, wearing SWAT gear and utilizing a SWAT vehicle as part of the operation. What we know On Thursday, during the Minneapolis City Council meeting, council members Jason Chavez called out the presence of ICE in the city. "We saw a militarized operation on Lake Street," said Council Member Chavez, who represents the area. "We saw people with large weapons, militarized vehicles that came into our community to instill fear to our immigrant community. We saw people there with ICE badges, and that needs to be said out loud because that is disheartening." "If you've ever had loved ones be deported, if you ever had love ones be impacted by this unjust and cruel immigration system, you know that any federal action like this is hurtful," Chavez added. What they're saying Later, council members moved for an after-action review of the city's role with ICE in the operation. "There are questions that I believe this body needs to ask," said Council Member Aurin Chowdhury, who co-authored the measure with Chavez. "This is one step and one tool that we have to get independent evaluation of what happened that day – an after-action review. It is important that, in this moment, we address the situation where ICE was on the ground in Minneapolis in a heavily-immigrant corridor with a lot of scrutiny and strength because… giving this Trump administration an inch to show up in the City of Minneapolis and violate our values, they will take a mile." Council Member Linea Palmisano said she hoped any review would also include communications by council members who she said created an "increasingly tense scene." "This community trusts you," said Palmisano. "And this community takes your lead. So inflammatory or uncorrected messaging really jeopardizes public safety." The motion passed on an 12-0 vote. The other side On Wednesday, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt called out lawmakers for throwing fuel on the tense situation. Sheriff Witt said some politicians recklessly spread rumors that the operation was an ICE raid without taking time to gather the facts about the situation. "Yesterday's incident was a criminal investigation," she explained. "So putting out the rhetoric that that was a raid, it was not a raid. Putting out the rhetoric that it was an immigration enforcement, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office does not participate in immigration enforcement. Elected officials have a responsibility to the constituents to put out accurate information. They don't have to agree with it, but do not mislead the public, causing more harm to our communities." The sheriff added: "There were ways for them to have accurate information and instead of getting accurate information, being impulsive and putting out things that could potentially incite riots is senseless." Dig deeper During Thursday's meeting, Chavez called out Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara for making similar criticisms of elected leaders. "I emailed the chief asking who he was talking about last night when it comes to elected officials," said Chavez. "Didn't get a straight answer. I emailed them again today to give me clarification. Which elected officials are you talking about in your emails and in your media press releases? And chief, I'm asking you right now, name them. Name which elected officials you're talking about because it's clear that you're afraid to tell the public who you're talking about, because you're lying. ICE was present in our community. There's no denying it." "ICE was present in our community, people with ICE badges were in our community, and to downplay people's trauma is just wrong," he added. "I'll ask the chief, name which elected officials you're talking about. Because when I posted on social media, I said ICE was present, and they were." Chavez said regardless of why they were there, people are right to be scared about ICE agents in military gear on the streets of Minneapolis. "To downplay people's trauma is just wrong," he said. "I want people to be wary about the comments about how immigrants should not be concerned that ICE is present in our community. That our community should not have any reaction because of military tanks, people with weapons in our corridor. That is why people are responding with fear. People are on our corridor who are covering their faces? Covering their badges, without their names, and we have guns in our street and we're supposed to say, 'No worries, don't worry about it, don't be scared.' That is concerning, that is bigotry, that's wrong."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Federal operation at Minneapolis restaurant draws crowd of protesters
Federal operation at Minneapolis restaurant draws crowd of protesters originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A federal law enforcement operation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a Minneapolis restaurant Tuesday was not related to immigration enforcement, according to local officials. A large crowd gathered outside Las Cuatro Milpas, a taco restaurant at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue South, beginning around 11 a.m. Tuesday as armed, masked agents and vehicles displaying HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), a division of ICE, converged outside the business. Video and pictures from the scene showed agents from several federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA and ATF. In a statement on social media shortly before 2 p.m., Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said no arrests have been made in connection with the operation. "While we're still gathering details, this incident was related to a criminal search warrant for drugs & money laundering and was not related to immigration enforcement," he wrote. Sign up for our BREAKING NEWS newsletters The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office says that it has assisted with the operation, which was not related to immigration. As part of ICE, HSI investigates a "wide range of crimes, including narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, and financial crimes," according to its website. From the HCSO: "HCSO partnered with federal agencies on a criminal investigation and part of that investigation included the execution of multiple search warrants at multiple locations in the metro area, including a business in the area of Bloomington Ave. and Lake St. in Minneapolis. HCSO's role in the incident today was solely focused on that. This incident was not related to any immigration enforcement. HCSO has no involvement in civil immigration. HCSO enforces criminal statutes and works on criminal investigations. We work with federal partners regularly on those criminal investigations." News of the arrival of federal agents quickly spread online, resulting in a growing crowd of protesters outside the premises, chanting at agents to go home. Among those present at the scene are Minneapolis City Council members Jason Chavez and Aisha Chughtai, as well as mayoral candidates Jazz Hampton, Omar Fateh and DeWayne Davis. In a statement, the Minneapolis Police Department said it is awaiting more information about the federal law enforcement operation. "Here's what we do know: MPD was NOT involved in any immigration enforcement activities today, nor were we given advance notice of any such operation," the agency shared. "Any claims to the contrary are false." MPD's statement continues: "After a federal law enforcement operation was already underway, a crowd began to form, and MPD officers arrived to ensure the crowd and the surrounding area remained safe." Em Cassell, editor of Racket MN, reports that those in the crowd have been pepper sprayed by law enforcement. Note: Details provided in this story are based on law enforcement's latest version of events, and may be subject to change. View the to see embedded media. View the to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Twin Cities Pride raises more than $50,000 in 24 hours after ending Target sponsorship
After Twin Cities Pride ousted Target from being a sponsor of its festival and parade, it was faced with a $50,000 fundraising shortfall. In less than 24 hours, the group raised enough to bridge the gap. Last week, Target announced that it would back away from many of its diversity goals in a move that was seen as a response to pressure from the incoming Trump Administration. A memo from the company asserts Target already planned to scrap the programs before President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government just days earlier. Nonetheless, the company's move sparked Twin Cities Pride to disinvite the retailer as a sponsor of Minnesota's largest Pride event, which regularly attracts more than 500,000 people to downtown Minneapolis. Twin Cities Pride then appealed to the public to help with a "Fill the Gap" campaign. It took less than 24 hours to replace the $50,000 it lost by dropping Target as a sponsor. The group has raised more than $70,000 as of 2 p.m. on Jan. 28. "Your generosity fuels the heart of Twin Cities Pride and supports vital programming like the Rainbow Wardrobe, Artist in Residence, Rainbow Feast, and so much more," Twin Cities Pride wrote on social media. "From all of us at Twin Cities Pride—thank you for standing with us." Target has been a supporter of LGBTQ+ events, including the support of Twin Cities Pride events, for nearly two decades. However, over the last two years, it has backed away from some of its initiatives. In 2023, it removed many Pride Month items from stores following online complaints and in-store protests from conservative activists. In 2024, it made the decision not to stock Pride items at all of its stores. In addition to being removed from Twin Cities Pride, many activists have pushed for a boycott of Target. Others, like Ward 9 Minneapolis council member Jason Chavez, have urged shoppers to take their dollars to small and locally owned businesses and grocery stores. Twin Cities Pride will host its annual festival and parade from June 28–29 at Loring Park in Minneapolis. Target did not respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fallout following Target rolling back DEI goals
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Just days after President Donald Trump's executive order ending federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, retailers are following suit. Target, with headquarters based in Minneapolis, is one of the companies that has announced it is changing course and ending its DEI goals. The move has a Minneapolis City Council member asking shoppers to boycott the retailer. What they're saying There has been a lot of reaction to Target's announcement. The 9th Ward Council member is urging people to support small businesses instead. In a statement posted to social media, Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez wrote, "It's disappointing that Target Corporation, based in Minneapolis, decided to roll back and ultimately conclude its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. I urge everyone to consider supporting small businesses and family-owned grocery stores in our community instead." What other companies are doing Target is one of several retailers announcing they are rolling back or ending DEI programs. Target Corporation joined some of the largest brands in the country, including Walmart, Amazon, and McDonald's. Still, other major corporations, including Costco, Apple, and J.P. Morgan are defending DEI policies. What's next Target announced key actions and changes that will be implemented throughout 2025, including ending the three-year diversity, equity and inclusion goals, stopping all external diversity-focused surveys, and evolving "Supplier Diversity" team to "Supplier Engagement." These actions are a part of the corporation's new "Belonging at the Bullseye" strategy. In its fact sheet, Target said they "remain focused on driving our business by creating a sense of belonging for our team, guests and communities through a commitment to inclusion. Belonging for all is an essential part of our team and culture, helping fuel consumer relevance and business results."
