A public memorial ceremony for Renee Good, protests and arrests outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul, and Republican Representatives introduce a bill to cut off federal election funding if Minnesota refuses to hand over its voter rolls.
Transcript
I’m Xan Holston. Here’s a look at what happened around the state this weekend.
WOKIKSUYE @ POWDERHORN PARK
XAN: About 5,000 people joined Lakota elders, faith leaders, and community members in a Minneapolis park Saturday for a memorial for Renee Macklin Good.
In a ceremony known as Wokiksuye — a Lakota word meaning “a remembrance” — native leaders offered medicine through song and dance, prayer, and tobacco.
They also drew a line from generations of violence against Indigenous people to recent deaths during federal immigration enforcement.
RABBI ARIELLE LAKACH-ROSENBERG: Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last. [cont. below]
XAN: Friends and family members also spoke, and a local rabbi read a statement written by Good’s wife, Becca.
RABBI ARIELLE LAKACH-ROSENBERG: You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.
XAN: The Wokiksuye marked one month since an ICE agent shot and killed Good.
WHIPPLE PROTEST & ARRESTS
Earlier Saturday, protesters threw sex toys at police during a demonstration at the Whipple Federal Building where ICE is headquartered, leading to nearly 50 arrests.
Law enforcement says some in the crowd escalated the protest by hurling ice and bottles, injuring a deputy and smashing a squad car windshield.
Police ordered the crowd to disperse and arrested those who stayed.
PETE STAUBER VOTER ROLLS
Minnesota Republicans in the U.S. Congress want the state to hand over its voter rolls to the federal government.
A bill introduced by Representatives Pete Stauber, Michelle Fishbach, and Tom Emmer would cut off federal election funding if Minnesota refuses.
Secretary of State Steve Simon sharply criticized the bill, calling it an “irresponsible stunt” that would undermine voter privacy and weaken confidence in Minnesota’s elections.
The bill comes after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested in a letter that turning over voter information could end ICE operations in the state.
Simon called that letter “a ransom note.”
JAKE LANG FELONY
Far-right influencer Jake Lang was arrested Thursday at the Minnesota State Capitol after he kicked over a large ice sculpture that spelled out “Prosecute ICE.”
He’s charged with felony damage to property, and a judge ordered him to stay at least three blocks away from the Capitol as he awaits his next hearing.
STATE BCA ALLOWED TO JOIN INVESTIGATION INTO THE KILLING OF ALEX PRETTI
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, or BCA, says it’s still trying to reach an agreement with federal authorities to investigate the shooting death of Alex Pretti.
The BCA says it wants to work jointly with the FBI and Justice Department, as it has in past cases, but those plans are still unresolved.
In the Pretti shooting, federal agents blocked BCA investigators from accessing the scene and key evidence, even after a jude issued them a warrant.
Despite that, the BCA says it continues collecting witness statements, video, and physical evidence, and is pushing for a cooperative investigation it says the public can trust.
FARMINGTON MAYOR RESIGNS
The mayor of Farmington has resigned, following a tense and profane exchange with a resident during a recent City Council meeting.
Mayor Joshua Hoyt stepped down after a blowup over a proposed data center and new time limits on public comment. The confrontation escalated into shouting, swearing, and an accusation of racism from a resident.
During the meeting, Hoyt defended the restrictions, arguing they were needed to keep order:
JACOB HOYT: Otherwise it's just a free-for-all, everybody just does what they want when they want, and then what? It becomes a fucking circus.
XAN: The data center proposal has sparked strong backlash from residents worried about environmental impacts, energy use, and how the project is being handled.
In his resignation letter, Hoyt said he needs to focus on his mental health. A council member will serve as acting mayor while the city decides next steps.
MAYOR JACOB FREY — BUSINESS LOSSES
XAN: The presence of several thousand federal agents in our state is taking a heavy toll on our economy.
A new survey from Meet Minneapolis found that 90 percent of respondents, including hotels, restaurants, retailers, and arts organizations, report negative impacts since Operation Metro Surge began in December.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says businesses are losing tens of millions of dollars each week.
JACOB FREY: Businesses along cultural corridors are down at least 50 percent, and the Latino-owned businesses and Somali-owned businesses are drastically below that.
XAN: Business leaders cite lost bookings, staffing disruptions, and widespread anxiety.
Officials hoping to revitalize the economy stress that Minneapolis remains open for business, with major events continuing and most attractions still operating.
MAYOR KAOHLY HER — ST. PAUL ORDINANCE
XAN: On the other side of the river, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her signed an ordinance last week banning ICE from staging actions on city-owned property.
KAOHLY HER: City property is not for immigration enforcement. Our city parks, libraries, and service centers are trusted resources for our community, and they must stay that way. (10s)
XAN: The St. Paul City Council is also pushing state leaders for a statewide ban on evictions and utility shut downs as Operation Metro Surge continues.
Both Xcel and Centerpoint Energy say they have suspended disconnections through the end of February.
KAOHLY HER: we must do everything we can to restore peace of mind to our residents and bring safety back to our community.
MPS EXTENDS DISTANCE LEARNING
Minneapolis Public Schools is extending its temporary online learning option through April 6, citing ongoing safety concerns. It was originally set to end February 12.
The district says it could return to full in-person learning sooner, but families would get at least two weeks’ notice of any changes.
DULUTH CURLERS AND/OR LINDSEY VONN OLYMPICS
Duluth’s own U.S. Olympic curling team has remained undefeated in mixed doubles play at the Milano-Cortina Games, setting up a first-ever semifinals appearance.
But St. Paul native Lindsey Vonn crashed hard in her downhill skiing run and had to be airlifted off the mountain, ending her role in the competition.