Clashes in Minneapolis as Jake Lang and supporters confront counterprotesters

Anti-ICE protesters clashed with a prominent right-wing activist, Jake Lang, in Minneapolis on Saturday, less than two weeks after a surge of federal agents deployed to the city as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Lang, who spent four years in prison for his role in the Jan.

6 attack on the U.S. Capitol before being pardoned by President Trump, had encouraged followers to meet him to “Support ICE” and confront what he called a “Muslim takeover.” When Lang and a group of about 20 arrived at City Hall, hundreds of counterprotesters were waiting, chanting slogans including “Arrest Tim Walz.

Deport Ilhan Omar. Deport Ilhan,” and hurling insults. Tensions escalated when counterprotesters began pelting Lang’s group with snowballs and water balloons; the group responded with punches, and an individual identified as Raafat Haj stepped in to help lead Lang out of the crowd, saying, “I don’t want anybody to get hurt.

Nobody. You don’t understand.” Haj told a reporter he was “completely against what he’s saying” and that, as a Muslim, he felt compelled to protect people in the crowd. Following the confrontation, Lang and his supporters fled Minneapolis. Lang told The Times he plans to hold another rally in Washington, D.C., next month.

Key Topics

Politics, Jake Lang, Minneapolis, Ice, Capitol Attack, Donald Trump