UPDATE: Chaos erupted in Minneapolis today as anti-ICE protesters mistakenly confronted a group of software engineers, believing they were federal agents. The alarming incident occurred around noon at Clancey’s Deli, igniting fear and confusion among the tech workers who were simply enjoying lunch.
Protesters, mobilized by a mass text from the “SW Minneapolis Rapid Response” group chat, swarmed the deli after receiving a false alert about the presence of plainclothes ICE agents. One of the engineers, identified as Lee, expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, “My friend was shocked… he’s eaten there before and suddenly he’s seeing messages saying we’re ICE.”
As the men exited the deli, they were met with a cacophony of whistles and insults. A video captured the moment when the group of protesters surrounded them, one yelling, “You’re a f–king bootlicker bitch!” Another shouted, “If you’re not with us, then you’re against us!”
The engineers tried to explain their identity, with one stating, “We do custom apps for a whole bunch of companies around Minnesota and the country!” However, the hostile crowd persisted, with some calling them “pedophiles” and accusing them of being “white privileged males.” The level of aggression left the men feeling vulnerable, with one engineer commenting that they felt “like a zoo animal” as they were gawked at from the sidewalk.
Lee criticized the reckless messaging that led to the protest, stating, “You don’t just tell extremists that random customers are ICE agents. That’s how people get hurt.” He noted that while his group represents a spectrum of political views, the confrontation has sparked serious reconsideration among them about the methods used in these protests.
This incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding immigration policy in the U.S. as protests against ICE continue to escalate. Reports indicate that similar confrontations have become frequent in Minneapolis, as activists rally against perceived injustices related to immigration enforcement.
Authorities have not yet responded to the incident, but the Department of Justice is closely monitoring the situation amid rising concerns over public safety and the spreading of misinformation.
As this story develops, many are left wondering how such a critical error could occur and what implications it may have for future protests. Stay tuned for updates as more information emerges on this urgent situation.
