Nearly three dozen protesters were arrested during a disturbance outside a Maple Grove hotel, where they believed Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino was staying.
The 35 arrests came after Maple Grove police and state troopers declared an unlawful assembly on Jan. 26 outside the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in the 11600 block of Arbor Lakes Parkway.
A swarm of officers began gradually moving the crowd away from the building at about 9:30 p.m. and made arrests as they went along. The crowd had dispersed as of 10 p.m.
A statement from police said that while the department “respects and upholds the First Amendment rights of individuals to peacefully assemble and express their views ... the situation escalated when individuals in the crowd engaged in unlawful behavior. Property damage occurred, and objects were thrown at officers. At that point, the activity was no longer considered peaceful.”
Maple Grove police said they arrested 13 people for gross misdemeanor riot and another 13 for misdemeanor unlawful assembly, with two of them also accused of obstructing the legal process.
“One individual remains under investigation for property damage but fled apprehension,” a police statement read.
Troopers arrested nine people for riot and unlawful assembly.
As Border Patrol commander, Bovino has been the face of the federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the Twin Cities and elsewhere in Minnesota.
