As protests and struggles continue in Minnesota due to ICE raids, a certain and somewhat unexpected act of kindness from another state agent -the National Guard- has sparked an online debate. That’s because the Minnesota National Guard can be seen giving out coffee and donuts to anti-ICE protesters.
In a viral video circulating on X/Twitter, you can see a line of National Guard members in St. Paul, Minnesota, carrying boxes of Dunkin’ Donuts and coffee, giving them away to a protester. The protester even notified them of a first-aid station in case some of the National Guard members get injured. Apparently, the gesture was a “demonstration of safety and security” by the National Guard, according to one Guard member, as transcribed by Fox.
This gesture comes a day after another Minnesotan, namely Alex J. Pretti, died because of a confrontation with ICE agents. The Minnesota National Guard has also chosen to wear reflective vests to distinguish itself from other agents of the state. Sadly, it appears not all National Guard members share the same sentiments toward anti-ICE protesters.
Members of the National Guard in Tennessee, for example, joined ICE and even local police in blockading a sandwich shop that posted a “No ICE access” sign. Hence, many people online have assumed that the National Guard in Minnesota was acting on behalf of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who, along with other Minnesota officials, is trying to remove ICE in the state.
People online are arguing over the National Guard’s actions
The National Guard’s gesture towards anti-ICE protesters has since sparked off a discussion and further accusations online, especially towards Gov. Tim Walz. One accusation even points to how the video above was, “More proof of insurrection act,” though this sentiment was met with a rather sharp retort, “Over donuts? And who exactly would they send in under the insurrection act? The national guard?”
Some have mocked Trump supporters, “MAGA reaction when they realize the national guard was there to protect the protesters and not ICE was priceless,” and it appears the act from the National Guard has many critics angered with one calling it “Treasonous behavior.” In any case, some people see no reason why the National Guard should be violent towards the protesters, “Wow, treating peaceful citizens with kindness. So terrible…”
Surprisingly, it appears it’s not just the National Guard in Minnesota that’s choosing not to aid the ICE raids, as the local police have also supposedly failed to help Border Patrol agents last week. The Minneapolis Department of Public Safety has even announced that they’ve more or less abandoned ICE agents in certain instances where they were called to the scene.
