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Tim Walz joined volunteers Jan. 23 at a community donation-sorting drive at First Congregational Church in Anoka. “Minnesota is meeting fear and division with decency and generosity,” Walz said in his weekly newsletter. “Across the state, we’re seeing neighbors helping neighbors. Grateful to First Congregational Church in Anoka for inviting me to see that work in action today.” Walz’s visit came as hundreds of businesses closed and thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis to protest federal immigration enforcement operations. ...

Columbia Heights has issued a statement in response to ongoing immigration enforcement in the city, saying that the council, Mayor Amada Marquez Simula, first responders and city staff had received calls, emails and messages about the presence of immigration officers in the city. “We have seen the trauma,” the statement read. “We have seen the fear in our community’s eyes. We have heard from seniors, students and families. We have met with business owners, school board members and neighbors who have experienced these harms firsthand. We have been present. We have listened. And we believe our community.” ...

A few Blaine residents raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement activity during the Blaine City Council’s Jan. 21 meeting, as city officials clarified the police department’s role and limitations regarding federal law enforcement. Early in the meeting, Police Chief Brian Podany said the department has received inquiries about federal law enforcement activity occurring in the city. Podany said the Blaine Police Department is not involved in federal immigration enforcement and defers all immigration matters to federal authorities. He said federal officers have been present in most or all cities across the Twin Cities metro area, as well as in many cities statewide. ...

Fridley Mayor David Ostwald issued a statement on Facebook addressing recent immigration enforcement activity in the city, saying residents deserve to feel safe and assuring that city services — including policing — will be provided without discrimination. Ostwald said that he had been having conversations with people in the community over the past several weeks, and that they had reinforced that Fridley was a community that cared deeply for one another. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Thumos Fitness to open a new location in an industrial area on 91st Avenue Northeast. Thumos’ website describes the business as a place where “faith and fitness are forged.” In addition to fitness equipment and classes, the center includes a smoothie bar and hosts Bible study groups. Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said the site is zoned light industrial, consistent with properties to the north and west. Properties to the east and south are zoned heavy industrial. ...

The St. Francis City Council voted Jan. 20 to formalize a resolution directing the city to fly Minnesota’s 1957 state flag rather than the current official flag flown at the Minnesota State Capitol. The resolution was approved 5-0 and states the city’s opposition to flying the current state flag. The vote followed earlier council discussion in which Mayor Mark Vogel described the move as a statement opposing actions taken at the state level in adopting the new flag, which was chosen through a legislative redesign process and made the official state flag in 2024. ...

In the article on the Blaine High School walkout, the correct spelling of Gibe’s name is “Nolawi Gibe.” ABC Newspapers apologizes for the error. Original Article

A protester waves the American Flag. Original Article

Protesters hold signs along Main St in Coon Rapids. Original Article

A Columbia Heights resident reported that a Hmong man with a wife and three children was taken from his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement near the intersection of Arthur Street NE and 39th Avenue NE on Sunday, Jan. 18. Jerrod Linderman, who lives across the street from the family, said he heard whistling and honking before going to his front door. “Within a few seconds, a whole bunch of ICE vehicles pulled up in front of my neighbors’ house,” Linderman said. “Ten agents jumped up and walked to his door and took a battering ram. They weren’t shouting anything, they just knocked down his door and went in.” ...