Northland lawmakers address increasing mistrust in law enforcement, amid ICE operations

DULUTH, Minn.–Four Minnesota lawmakers held a press event at Duluth City Hall to address their growing concerns around ICE operations in Minnesota and its effects on the Northland.

Democratic representatives Liish Kozlowski, Pete Johnson, Angela Stroud and Senator Jen McEwen took to the podium.

Rep. Pete Johnson is a first responder as a longtime firefighter, and he said seeing public trust unravel is unnerving.

“To those of you that are in public safety, my fellow firefighters, my EMS partners, law enforcement, I know like you, like me, many of you took an oath. I have no doubt some of the similar core tenants remain to protect and uphold the Constitution to serve our communities with bravery and courage. And I would ask every one of you to look at what is happening on our streets through that lens and tell me if they are upholding the oath that you took,” said Johnson.

Senator Jen McEwen said, officials are already beginning to notice the effects of that mistrust here in the Twin Ports.

“ICE is here in Duluth and in the Northland as well. And people have had interaction with law enforcement or people that they thought could be ice, and they were very frightened and very scared,” said McEwen.  “We’ve also known of instances where Duluth residents have been coerced into self-deporting where they didn’t leave because they wanted to leave. They were members of this community.”

The lawmakers are urging citizens to continue to make their voices heard through peaceful protests, as well as reaching out to local and state leaders.