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The St. Paul City Council is asking the state to investigate the actions of St. Paul police during an immigration enforcement operation last month. The council is also requesting an audit of city spending on the police response, which drew widespread criticism because of officers’ heavy use of chemical irritants and projectiles.
The council passed a resolution Wednesday calling for the audit and to have the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training investigate officers’ use of force during the incident. The council also agreed to hold a public hearing in January on whether to strengthen the city’s separation ordinance, which bars police and other city workers from participating in federal immigration enforcement. And it will consider a policy to limit where federal agents can gather to stage enforcement operations.
“None of this is enough to undo the harm caused two weeks ago, but a critical part of sitting on the city council is making sure that our city's policies are meeting the moment that we are in and the needs of our communities today,” Council member Molly Coleman said. “What we saw two weeks ago is that we have serious work to do to ensure that we are fulfilling that responsibility.”
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry has said his officers did not violate the separation ordinance on Nov. 25, when they responded to the scene of an immigration arrest that had drawn protesters. Henry said some protesters had rocks and sticks and that officers were there to keep people safe.
But many in the crowd and observing in online videos called their tactics excessive.
“When I tell you that I saw a 30-foot wall of tear gas fill the air on Payne Avenue and our own police force shoot [pepper balls] indiscriminately through the fog, not knowing who they would hit, that is ubiquitously the experience that everyone else experienced,” Council member Hwa Jeong Kim said during Wednesday’s meeting.
Three photojournalists, including MPR News visual journalist Kerem Yücel, were among those hit by less-lethal munitions.
Henry said his department is conducting its own investigation into the officers’ actions.
Wednesday’s resolution came amid growing frustration among some that the city wasn’t taking swift enough action. The council did not take up the matter in its first meeting after the incident.
For some, that frustration remains.
“We are in a state of emergency. We need solutions now,” said independent journalist Georgia Fort. “The resolution is promising a public hearing in the future. That's great. An audit of the police. That's great. But what are we doing today to deal with the federal agents who are stripping people of their due process today?”
Fort and others who attended the meeting said they want an emergency public hearing.
MPR News editor Lisa Ryan contributed to this report.
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