Federal agents and St. Paul police faced off with protesters in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood of Minnesota on Tuesday. Tensions escalated when officers used chemical irritants against the crowd.
Protesters gathered near Payne and Rose avenues, where federal agents attempted to take a man into custody from a nearby residence. What began as shouting quickly turned chaotic when law enforcement sprayed chemicals into the crowd, leading to pushback from protesters who retaliated by throwing objects.
Vivian Tran, a community organizer, described the experience as excruciating: “It’s like burning everything—your eyes, lungs, and nose, especially without a mask. Why is Homeland Security using this? It feels like chemical warfare.”
City Council member Hwa Jeong Kim expressed her outrage, stating, “This is completely unacceptable. The police work for us, and their job is to keep us safe.” She and others were reportedly affected by the tear gas.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry explained that officers were called in to assist federal agents after reports of protesters wielding rocks and sticks. He acknowledged the use of chemical irritants but asserted that no arrests were made by his department. A review of the situation is forthcoming.
Mayor Melvin Carter arrived to assess the scene and expressed concern over the escalation, promising to investigate. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz released a statement indicating that he was not informed of the operation by federal authorities, stating, “This chaotic situation is not what public safety cooperation should look like.”
The conflict reflects a broader tension between community members and law enforcement, especially in light of recent immigration raids in the area. Just a week ago, federal agents arrested 14 individuals connected to immigration operations at a local paper company. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed details regarding the charges faced by those arrested.
Discussions about the events on social media highlighted the community’s anger and fear regarding the aggressive tactics used by law enforcement. Many are questioning the appropriateness of such responses to protests, especially in neighborhoods where residents feel vulnerable.
In recent years, research shows that the use of chemical irritants in crowd control has been on the rise, raising ethical concerns among human rights advocates. Studying these trends, experts emphasize the need for transparent policing practices and community engagement to prevent further escalation of tensions.
This incident is part of an ongoing conversation about law enforcement methods, community safety, and the complexities of federal and local collaboration.
As this situation develops, more information is expected to be released.
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