Immigration activist organizations in the Twin Cities are calling for the release of an investigation into a clash between protestors and law enforcement in St. Paul almost a full year ago.

On Nov. 25, 2025, a federal law enforcement operation drew protests in the city. Video from the scene showed police using chemical irritants, sponge bullets and pepper balls on a crowd of protestors on Rose Avenue.

MPR News visual journalist Kerem Yücel and two other photojournalists were hit by pepper balls or other less-lethal munitions as they documented the day’s events. Yücel’s injuries sent him to the hospital by ambulance that day.

The photojournalists believed police targeted them for doing their jobs, raising questions about First Amendment protections.

Activists from the Indigenous Roots Cultural Center, Minnesota 8, Detention Watch Network and other organizations said at a press conference Monday they’re still waiting for answers from elected officials.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her told MPR News last week that she believes the investigation will wrap up “very soon.” In a statement to MPR News on Thursday, Her said she understands the frustration and is committed to reviewing the results of the investigation.

“The PCIARC is thoroughly examining the investigative evidence in order to make its recommendations,” Her said. “It is critical that we respect the integrity of that process and do not interfere in any way."

The PCIARC is the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission, which reviews investigations and makes disciplinary and policy recommendations to the chief of police.

Chenda Hing, a digital organizer with Minnesota 8, said what happened that day was “extremely disrespectful” and “extremely harmful.”

“We saw people pepper sprayed less than 3 feet away from each other, right into their eyes, we saw federal agents with sunglasses and masks to cover up any accountability," Hing said. "For the majority of the ICE enforcement, we saw St. Paul police hand in hand with ICE, ready to pepper spray with them.”

St. Paul’s ordinance — often called a separation ordinance — directs local law enforcement to prioritize local public safety goals and to avoid engaging in federal immigration enforcement unless required by law.

“Up until that point, our community had not seen such a blatant display of partnership between local police and ICE here in St. Paul,” she said.

Hing also called for more transparency from elected officials ahead of the federal government's plans to open a federal detention center in Appleton. The former Prairie Correctional Facility holds 1,600 beds.

“Because otherwise, what's going to happen is a year from now we're going to be standing here and we're going to have to be honoring the lives that we lose in that detention center as well,” she said.

Jeffrey Suazo, 26, was taken into custody by federal law enforcement that day. Mary Anne Quiroz, founder of Indigenous Roots Cultural Center, said three members of the family still live in the neighborhood.

She said they do not want to comment and simply want to move on with life. “They are deeply traumatized and hurt and scared and in fear,” Quiroz said.

“The Metro Surge is not over, maybe the trendy name is over, but we need to stay ready and be ready, because we know what's coming next at that Appleton acquisition of that property,” she said.

Minnesota 8 and Indigenous Roots held a rally and vigil at East Side Sculpture Park Monday evening “to honor lives lost at the hands of ICE.” They also held an ofrenda and an altar indoors at Roots Cafe.

Samuel Torres, the co-chair of the board of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center, said the violence will continue unless the federal government is held accountable.

“We are here not only standing in solidarity and mourning and grieving our neighbors and our relatives, but as we stand here in the same place where the city council and the mayor gathered to hear the concerns of residents on the east side, we're still waiting for that report, we're still waiting for accountability,” Torres said.

Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.