Lake and Bloomington

Today, I went down to Lake and Bloomington after media outlets reported that federal agents were descending upon a south Minneapolis restaurant. While I was there, I witnessed a deeply militarized law enforcement action. This response has sparked fear, confusion, and outrage among residents.

I saw armored Humvees with several camouflaged agents hanging off the sides of the vehicles. Federal FBI and ATF agents were carrying assault rifles and wearing masks to cover their faces. I saw outraged residents protesting and exercising their First Amendment rights. I saw people attempting to block the vehicles with objects and their bodies.

I witnessed mace deployments, shoving, and even a person I know personally knocked unconscious, lying in the street as rain fell on her body and her clothes soaked up the water—pouring out like the cries of nervous neighbors.

I am already hearing conflicting accounts about why the agents were here and what they were doing. Regardless, let me be absolutely clear: trust between our communities and law enforcement is already fragile. Without transparency, incidents like today’s operation only deepen the divide.

That is why I am calling for an immediate and fully transparent public explanation of the operation from federal and local agencies with knowledge of the event. This moment calls for moral clarity. Today, I stand with our community—not with fear and force, but with justice and compassion.