Minneapolis protesters use winter conditions to challenge ICE outside federal building

Protesters in Minneapolis have been using winter weather to their advantage as federal agents contend with icy sidewalks and snow outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, where demonstrations have continued amid an immigration enforcement operation. Temperatures are expected to plunge to around zero degrees this weekend, and city and state officials have been tracking the forecast in daily meetings about planned protests, arrests and unrest.

Demonstrators have dumped water into streets, driven a car streaming jugs of water and thrown snowballs, actions an official spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said could "potentially kill" federal agents by causing crashes. A viral video this week showed an immigration agent slipping on ice.

Protesters who live in Minnesota say they are prepared with winter gear — woolen socks, multiple layers, ski goggles and crampons or microspikes sold at local stores — and some said a cold stretch would help their efforts. "I want it to get cold," said Chris Foreman, a military veteran joining the protests, adding that many agents are "from the South" and not used to the conditions.

City Council member Jason Chavez said residents are "ready for it" but also cautioned he did not want a blizzard or snow emergency that would force people to move cars and leave them vulnerable.

Key Topics

Politics, Whipple Federal Building, Minneapolis, Ice, Renee Good, Dhs