🧊 ICE wants to keep detaining observers

DOJ Appeals Limitations to Use of Force on Protestors

Judge Kate M. Menendez ruled that federal agents cannot detain or use crowd control munitions against people who are protesting or peacefully observing immigration enforcement operations. The Trump administration announced it would be appealing the decision and supplied no further details. [Minnesota Lawyer]

• "Didn't change anything": DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called the judge's order "ridiculous" and said federal agents are not detaining or using chemical agents against peaceful protestors, despite many videos and first-hand accounts that allege improper use of force. [CBS News]
• What's next? For now, Judge Menendez's order still remains in effect. If the Trump administration's appeal is accepted, the case will move to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Kate M. Menendez is also presiding over a separate case brought by Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul seeking a temporary restraining order to halt or limit Operation Metro Surge. A decision on whether or not to halt ICE's current surge could be issued as early as tomorrow. [MPR / CBS News]

"It looks bad": According to a top Trump advisor, the President doesn't like the optics of ICE's operations in the Twin Cities, and advisors are quietly talking about recalibrating the White House's approach. This comes as President Trump's team recently reviewed polling data that showed support for his immigration policies falling among Republicans. [Axios]

No more towing: The city of St. Paul announced that it is suspending towing of abandoned vehicles, as ICE has left many cars on the street after detaining people. They will still tow cars that pose safety hazards, but will not charge folks who have been detained to retrieve them. The city of Minneapolis is still towing abandoned vehicles, but is also not charging folks who have been detained by ICE. [St. Paul / Minneapolis]

Under the microscope: Federal prosecutors issued subpoenas to at least five officials in Minnesota as a part of their investigation into the local response to heightened immigration enforcement in the state. Previously, the DOJ had announced it would be investigating Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, but these subpoenas formally add St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to the inquiry. [New York Times]

Election time: There is a special election on Jan. 27 that will decide the balance of the Minnesota State House of Representatives. The election is for house district 64A, which was left vacant by Kaohly Her when she became mayor of St. Paul. [My Villager]

Wrongly targeted: ChongLy Scott Thao, a family friend of St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, was taken from his home without a shirt on Sunday, when the windchill was below zero, and detained for nearly an hour after being wrongly targeted by ICE. According to Thao's sister-in-law, ICE released him after fingerprinting him and finding out that he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record. [Star Tribune]

General Strike: Faith leaders, unions, and businesses across Minnesota are participating in a general strike on Friday to protest Operation Metro Surge. Organizers of the economic blackout are also planning a march in downtown Minneapolis at 2 p.m. [Bring Me The News]

Wednesday, Jan 21

• 🌿 Music Under Glass Featuring Switchgrass | Como Conservatory
• 🧠 Almanac After Hours: Trivia Night with Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer 🆓 | 56 Brewing
• 🎤 Kelz Musik Presents: R&B Live (All Black Affair) | Amsterdam
• 🧘 Breathwork + Sound Bath & Sauna 🆓 | Sauna Strong
• 📚 Andrea Leeb presents Such a Pretty Picture 🆓 | Magers & Quinn
• 🎻 Wanderers: An Evening of Klezmer with Psoy Korolenko & Polina Shepherd | The Museum of Russian Art

Thursday, Jan 22

• 👟 Walk to End the Silence | Mall of America
• 🗣️ Sabathani x Change Narrative Community Storytelling Workshop | Sabathani Community Center
• 🏕️ BWCA Permit Release Party | Lake State Mountaineering
• 📖 Winter Storytelling with Black Garnet Books 🆓 | Walker Art Center
• ❄️ A Kickoff to the 140th St. Paul Winter Carnival 🆓 | Rice Park
• 🎙️ Christopher Tradowsky in Conversation with Chris Hewitt 🆓 | University Club of Saint Paul
• 🎵 Of The Orchard (EP Release Show) | 7th Street Entry

• Talent Marketing Manager at Land O’Lakes | $93k - $140k per year
• Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at Augsburg University | $78k - $85k per year
• Innovation Director at Duke Cannon | $130k - $150k per year
• Workers' Compensation Attorney at League of Minnesota Cities | $110k - $150k per year
• Communications & Marketing Coordinator at Minnesota Star Tribune | $55k - $67k per year