Secret ICE Agent Tried to ‘Entice’ Minneapolis Activists Into Confrontational Tactics
Documents from ICE’s investigation into the Sunrise Movement show an agent volunteered to build tools for “direct-action” protests. The post Secret ICE Agent Tried to ‘Entice’ Minneapolis Activists Into Confrontational Tactics appeared first on The Intercept .
Minneapolis activists, including those from the Sunrise Movement and various labor unions, suspected they were under federal government surveillance during the winter protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A court filing revealed the extent of the infiltration, with undercover ICE agents attending meetings and protests, issuing subpoenas for financial records, and attempting to recruit activists into more confrontational tactics.
Sunri Movement Executive Director Aru Shiney-Ajay stated that the government's actions were aimed at intimidating protesters and discouraging participation in protest groups. The investigation, dubbed "Operation Puppet Master," targeted organizations supporting "violent opportunists and agitators," but undercover agents had already been engaging with Sunrise Movement even before the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
Despite the backlash following Pretti's death, the investigation continued, with ICE agents attending Sunrise trainings and attempting to persuade activists toward more aggressive methods, including offering to build items for direct-action protests. Over 15 Minnesota activists were later charged in connection with trying to stop the federal government's immigration crackdown.
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