Minnesota law enforcement escalated its response Monday night after anti ICE demonstrations spilled out of Minneapolis and into surrounding suburbs, forcing state troopers to confront an increasingly aggressive crowd outside a hotel believed to be housing federal agents.
According to authorities, Minnesota State Patrol officers deployed a long range acoustic device, commonly known as an LRAD, as roughly 200 protesters gathered outside the SpringHill Suites in Maple Grove. Demonstrators believed federal immigration officers were staying inside the hotel and refused repeated orders to disperse.
After warnings were ignored, officers announced they would activate the LRAD. The device is capable of projecting highly focused sound waves that can broadcast commands over long distances or emit high intensity tones designed to disperse hostile crowds.
Officials stressed that the device was used only to issue voice commands and not for deterrent tones. Despite those assurances, online footage and social media posts fueled claims that protesters were exposed to painful sound bursts.
The situation escalated after demonstrators blocked roadways, damaged property, and hurled debris toward officers. Law enforcement then declared the gathering unlawful. By the end of the confrontation, 26 people were taken into custody on charges including unlawful assembly and riotous conduct.
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