St. Paul Activists Demand Answers Nearly One Year After Rose Avenue Clash
Almost a full year has passed since a federal law enforcement operation on Rose Avenue in St. Paul descended into a chaotic confrontation, and for many local activists, the silence regarding the official investigation is becoming deafening. On November 25, 2025, what began as a protest against a federal immigration action transformed into a tense scene where police deployed chemical irritants, sponge bullets, and pepper balls against demonstrators. Today, community organizations are intensifying their pressure on elected officials to release the findings of the subsequent inquiry.
The incident, as documented by MPR News, left a lasting mark on the community and the local press corps. Among those injured were three photojournalists, including MPR News visual journalist Kerem Yücel, who required an ambulance trip to the hospital after being struck by less-lethal munitions. For those on the ground, the encounter raised urgent questions about the protection of First Amendment rights and the boundaries of police engagement during federal operations.
The Push for Transparency and Accountability
At a press conference held this past Monday, representatives from the Indigenous Roots Cultural Center, Minnesota 8, and the Detention Watch Network collectively voiced their frustration over the lack of public closure. The investigation in question is being handled by the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC), a body tasked with examining evidence and issuing disciplinary or policy recommendations to the chief of police.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her stated last week that she believes the investigation will wrap up “very soon.” In a formal response to MPR News, Her emphasized the necessity of a methodical approach, noting, “The PCIARC is thoroughly examining the investigative evidence in order to make its recommendations. It is critical that we respect the integrity of that process and do not interfere in any way.”
Ordinance Fails to Prevent Local Police and Federal Agent Cooperation
The November 2025 clash occurred against the backdrop of St. Paul’s separation ordinance, which is designed to keep local law enforcement focused on public safety rather than federal immigration enforcement. Chenda Hing, a digital organizer with Minnesota 8, described the scene as a “blatant display of partnership” between local police and federal agents that caught many residents off guard.
“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.”
The implications of this partnership reach beyond a single day of protest. Activists are concerned that the lack of accountability for the Rose Avenue incident sets a troubling precedent as the federal government moves toward activating the former Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, which holds 1,600 beds. For community members, the fear is that the city’s silence today will only embolden future federal actions in the region.
Activists Hold Vigil for Families Affected by Detention
The human toll of that November day remains visible in the East Side neighborhood. Mary Anne Quiroz, founder of the Indigenous Roots Cultural Center, noted that three members of the family of Jeffrey Suazo—who was taken into custody during the operation—continue to live in the neighborhood. While some families may simply wish to move on, the broader activist community remains focused on the structural issues exposed by the clash.
Earlier this week, supporters gathered at the East Side Sculpture Park and the Roots Cafe to hold a vigil and create an ofrenda honoring those affected by detention and enforcement actions. Samuel Torres, the co-chair of the board of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center, argued that without federal accountability, the violence will continue. “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.
As the anniversary of the Rose Avenue clash approaches, the core question remains: will the forthcoming report from the PCIARC provide the transparency the community demands, or will it merely confirm the deep-seated mistrust that has defined the last twelve months of city-federal relations?
