Federal Agents Arrest Minnesota Woman Outside My Office, Cite Protest Charges

Federal agents arrest local poet outside my downtown Saint Paul office—minutes after I finished interviewing her.

Moments after concluding our interview with Isabel Lopez, she exited our office building. As she stepped outside, several men in unmarked vehicles—none wearing visible badges—took her. We exited minutes after her only witnessing the aftermath. Her shoulder was visibly bleeding.

Unaware of who these individuals were, many people yelled “You can’t take her.” One said “we have a warrant for her arrest”.

How did they know where she was?
Was she being followed? Surveilled? Targeted—for speaking to the press?

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office Isabel is now being charged by federal complaint and indictment with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees. They are alleging that this was for things she did at the protest in Minneapolis last Tuesday. However clips that were circulating online showed her being assaulted by agents wearing fatigues.

I’ve spoken to local officials about my concerns, and there’s still no clear guidance or plan on how to address the increasingly aggressive federal tactics that appear to violate both constitutional and human rights.

As someone on the ground working to

document and expose what’s happening, I can tell you: many stories aren’t reaching mainstream media. People are afraid to speak in fear for their safety or their freedom and media suppression is ramping up as we just saw a CNN reporter escorted away from protests in LA.

I will continue to provide updates as I confirm the facts about Isabel. According to agents and online records she is being held at the Sherburne County Jail.

In the meantime, if you attended last week’s protest in South Minneapolis, you’re advised to seek legal advice and check if you have a warrant or not.