Protests outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building near Minneapolis and St. Paul continued to escalate on January 11, 2026, as federal agents responded to demonstrators who blocked access to the facility’s driveway.
According to video and on-the-ground reporting, officers confronted a crowd of protesters gathered near the federal ICE processing center at the Whipple Building, where demonstrations have taken place daily since a fatal encounter involving an ICE agent earlier in the week.
Protesters reportedly moved into the driveway and blocked vehicles from entering or exiting, leading agents to advance into the crowd to clear a path. When objects, including safety cones and other debris, were thrown at officers, federal agents deployed “less-lethal” pepper balls and other irritants to create distance and regain control of the scene.
One older man was struck by pepper balls and later detained by agents as part of the effort to disperse the crowd. Authorities emphasized that blocking law enforcement vehicles and refusing lawful orders during an active protest can endanger both officers and bystanders.
No official injury count has yet been released, and federal officials have not provided details on any charges related to the arrests that occurred during the confrontations. The Whipple Building has been a focal point for protests since the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer earlier this month, an incident that has already sparked nationwide demonstrations and legal challenges.
