City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 06/06/2025 07:02 PM CDT
Council Member Linea Palmisano
June 6, 2025
Dear Neighbor,
There was lots to celebrate here in Southwest Minneapolis this week!
First, the 50th Anniversary of Southwest Community Education! For half a century now, Southwest Community Education has made learning accessible to all, provided a space for neighbors to come together, and fostered the spirit of lifelong education. This was not only a celebration of time, but a celebration of impact, made possible by dedicated educators, volunteers, families, and community members. Special thanks to Dave Premack for all he did to make this event possible!
Second, an Honorary Resolution presented to the Southwest High School Robotics Team, Ultraviolet, to recognize their recent achievements in the Minnesota State High School League and FIRST Championship Competitions. I know a little something about robotics competition, as I was the Innovation Coach for my son’s middle school Robotics team for two years. I saw firsthand the amount of planning, research and visioning it takes to lift one of these projects off the ground and how many starts, stops, and complete re-starts that this kind of work takes. I am so impressed with these students' spirit of cooperation and dedication. I was pleased to honor them at yesterday's City Council Meeting.
On Tuesday afternoon, reports of federal agents and rumors of an immigration raid in South Minneapolis spread quickly. Residents, many of them immigrants, were scared by the presence of militarized law enforcement in their neighborhood. I stand with our immigrant community and will continue to protect their rights and our status as a welcoming city. Here are the facts:
This was not an immigration raid. This was a federal criminal enforcement operation, focused on human and drug trafficking as well as money laundering. This operation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
There were a number of federal agencies present in addition to ICE, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office also participated as the only local law enforcement agency in the task force.
MPD was not a participant in this operation. MPD Officers were called to the scene after the effort was underway, and only to keep people safe once a large crowd began to form.
MPD Chief Brian O’Hara has said explicitly that neither MPD, nor any other City officials, were given advance notice about this operation and that he too learned about it in real time.
The City of Minneapolis has one of the strongest separation ordinances in the country. Local law enforcement does not enforce federal immigration laws. Enforcement of immigration laws falls exclusively with the federal government.
These facts matter. Telling the truth matters. Elected officials across all levels of government have a responsibility to communicate accurate information to the public, particularly in this time of increased political tension and heightened fears around immigration enforcement.
Messaging from elected officials and participation of their staff in protest created an increasingly tense scene where community members attempted to obstruct the execution of criminal search warrants. At yesterday’s Council Meeting, I voted in support of a request to the City Auditor that will independently review the City’s response to this incident. We’ll use this information to ensure our separation ordinance was adhered to and bring insight as to how to improve future response.
The next 13th Ward Neighborhood Safety Walk will be around Bde Maka Ska. I am hoping to find residents who are willing to start regular walk groups in their own neighborhoods, with the goal of having one in each neighborhood in the ward. Come enjoy the beautiful weather and learn more about starting a Neighborhood Safety Club!
13th Ward Neighborhood Safety Walk Bde Maka Ska Parkway | Meet at Thomas Beach Monday, June 16 | 5:30-7:00 PM
The Edina Art Fair returns to 50th and France starting today, June 6. Check out 250+ artists including emerging artists in a new MCAD partnership, three beer gardens, two live music stages, culinary and vintage markets, kid zone, and more! The fair is open today until 8pm, Saturday from 10am-7pm, and Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Note that the intersection of 50th and France will be closed to traffic throughout the event.
June 2-June 13: W 36th St from Dupont Ave. S. to Aldrich Ave. S.
Between June 2-13, CenterPoint energy will be replacing gas service lines on W 36th St. between Dupont Ave. S. and Aldrich Ave. S. This stretch of roadway will be closed for the duration of this work.
One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet with my constituents, learn more about you and hear your questions, concerns, hopes and dreams for our shared community.
If you'd like to schedule a time to meet with me, send me an e-mailand my staff will help get it scheduled. Please let me know what you'd like to talk about and a convenient place to meet—a coffee shop, a park, your home, my office, etc. I try to reserve Fridays for constituent meetings, but can work them in other times, as necessary, too.
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center 250 South 4th St. Get directions
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.
