In absolutely titanic news marking a major shift in federal aggressiveness in targeting those who are obstructing and impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they set about trying to do their jobs, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it has arrested 15 members of an Antifa-linked cell that targeted ICE officers.
Such is what the DOJ announced in a press release, noting that it would not tolerate such attacks on or attempts to impede its officers, the sort of things that rioting leftists have become known for, and that those involved in the matter will be facing justice for their crimes.
Beginning, the press release said, “The Justice Department today announced that 15 members and associates of Direct Action Minnesota (DAMN) have been charged with various federal crimes, including conspiracy to impede a federal officer, multiple counts of interstate stalking, interstate threats, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, multiple counts of assault on a federal officer, and destruction of government property.”
Continuing, it announced, “Over the last 24 hours, federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a coordinated law enforcement operation culminating in the arrest of 12 DAMN members. Two DAMN members are at-large, and one was previously in federal custody on separate charges.”
Describing the sort of tactics and illegal behaviors in which the group was involved, the DOJ then said, “As outlined in the indictment, DAMN is an organization dedicated and committed to direct action against federal law and immigration enforcement. Direct action refers to disruptive and obstructive tactics used by participants to forcibly challenge, block, or stop immigration raids, detentions, and deportations . . .DAMN also trains its members in the use of shields against law enforcement, surveillance, event planning, role differentiation, and rapid mass mobilization against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement actions.”
Yet further, the group noted the group’s Antifa affiliations, saying, “DAMN is comprised of members from several sub-groups, such as the Black Cat Worker’s Collective, Ray Rainbolt Memorial Shooting Club, and other organizations. Many self-proclaimed “antifascist” or “Antifa” groups in the United States exist at the local level, in small units called affinity groups. Antifa groups frequently blend anarchist and communist views. The Black Cat Worker’s Collective (BCWC) is a Minneapolis-based Antifa affinity group committed to militant class struggle, community self-defense, and revolution. Militant class struggle includes disrupting rallies, digital campaigning, community organizing, and physical confrontation, often justified as collective self-defense. BCWC members advocate, promote, and utilize militant tactics and violence. BCWC members are intricately involved in the planning and execution of direct actions. The Ray Rainbolt Memorial Shooting Club is another Minneapolis-based Antifa affinity group dedicated to ‘community self-defense.’”
And, returning to the matter of its anti-ICE tactics, the DOJ said, “DAMN members organized and participated in direct actions against federal and local law enforcement on Jan. 23 and March 1. DAMN members deployed “hard” and “soft” blockades against federal law and immigration enforcement as well as against Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies during both of the direct actions. DAMN successfully shut down operations at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building (Whipple Building), during both direct actions.”
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It added, noting the dramatic escalation in action it took against ICE, “Members of DAMN’s “hard blockade” team used vehicles, trailers, Czech hedgehogs (a static obstacle made of metal angle beams), and other items to obstruct the roads used by law enforcement near the Whipple Building to impede the movement of federal law enforcement and immigration officers. See below for examples of items used for “hard blockade” during the January 23 and March 1 direct actions.”
The press release went on to give many more examples of such illegal actions. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, commenting on the situation, said, “As alleged, these defendants, which included members of Antifa groups, engaged in an unrelenting campaign of harassment and violence targeting federal and local law enforcement. Their actions created a dangerous environment that threatened not only their intended targets, but the community as a whole. These arrests demonstrate the Department’s commitment to law and order and stopping organized political violence in Minneapolis and beyond.”
Similarly, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said, “The arrests of these rioters is a win for law and order. If you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We have ZERO tolerance for violence against our law enforcement. If you assault or obstruct law enforcement, you will face the consequences.”
Watch Minnesota AG Keith Ellison’s ties to Antifa get exposed here: