Minneapolis — Federal authorities have arrested 16 people in Minnesota on charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers amid protests tied to U.S. immigration enforcement operations, including a Somali American woman who went viral for describing her identity as “bananas and rice,” officials said.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests Wednesday as federal agents stepped up enforcement efforts in Minneapolis following days of unrest. The Justice Department said the individuals were charged under a statute that criminalizes assaulting or obstructing federal officers performing official duties.
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Among those charged is 23-year-old Nasra Ahmed, who drew national attention after a Jan. 21 press conference in which she spoke about navigating life as both Somali and American — a remark that spread widely on social media. “It’s kind of like bananas and rice,” Ahmed said. “People don’t think you can eat bananas with rice, but that’s what it’s like to be Somali and American.”
Bondi, in a post on X, said agents acted against people accused of interfering with operations. “Federal agents have arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement people who have been resisting and impeding our federal law enforcement rights,” she said, adding that more arrests were expected and emphasizing the administration’s commitment to enforcing federal law.
The Justice Department made public the names and photos of those charged. In addition to Ahmed, the list includes:
- Christina Rank
- Abdikadir Noor
- Madeline Tschida
- Nitzana Flores
- Helicity Borowska
- Quentin Williams
- William Vermie
- Paul Johnson
- Gillian Etherington
- Joshua Doyle
- Kirubele Adbebe
- Margaret Sager
- Ilan Wilson-Soler
- Alice Valentine
- Matrim Charlebois
Authorities have not detailed Ahmed’s specific alleged actions during the protests. The federal charges come after a fatal Jan. 24 shooting in Minneapolis, when U.S. Border Patrol agents killed 37-year-old American citizen Alex Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation. The incident intensified tensions in the city and renewed scrutiny of federal immigration tactics and the use of force by law enforcement.
The arrests mark a notable escalation in the government’s response to demonstrations that have roiled Minneapolis, a city still grappling with national attention around policing and protest dynamics. Federal officials framed the enforcement as a necessary step to protect officers and maintain order; activists have argued that aggressive tactics risk inflaming an already fraught situation.
The cases will be handled in federal court. If convicted of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, the defendants could face penalties that vary based on the severity of the alleged conduct. No court dates were immediately announced.
In the wake of her viral moment, Ahmed had become a recognizable figure in local civic discussions, with supporters citing her remarks as an emblem of Minnesota’s diverse Somali American community. Her arrest now places her at the center of a broader clash over protest, policing and federal authority in the Twin Cities.
Federal officials said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible as authorities review video evidence and reports from recent demonstrations.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
