In Minneapolis, where protests often simmer just below the surface, a federal agent's knee drove into Clayton Kelly's back, leaving him face-first on the sidewalk. His arrest occurred just days after another immigration agent shot and killed nurse Alex Pretti, sending shockwaves through the community.
Kelly had witnessed an earlier shooting just ten days prior, when Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis was injured during a federal enforcement action in north Minneapolis. Kelly's account of that incident contradicted the official narrative released by the Department of Homeland Security. The unsettling experience made Kelly and his wife Alana Ericson wary of what they might see on Nicollet Avenue, where Pretti was killed.
As Kelly and his wife walked towards another section of the avenue, federal agents began shouting and running towards him. He had his hands up, saying "I'm leaving" repeatedly, but it was too late. Agents deployed pepper spray into his left eye, causing significant damage. The woman beside him at the time described seeing a bystander caught in a similar situation shortly afterwards.
Since Kelly's release from detention, he has been struggling to recover from the assault. He fears retaliation for acting as a witness and continues to experience nightmares about the incident. His wife Alana Ericson shared that she too is still reeling from the emotional toll of the arrest, describing it as "like a bad dream" and fearing that her husband might be targeted again.
The Minneapolis area has seen an unusual number of people taken into custody while observing or documenting federal activity in recent days. The Intercept reported on this trend earlier, highlighting how some attorneys have been followed by federal vehicles after monitoring immigration enforcement activity.
In light of these events, a group of Minnesota residents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against federal agents involved in Operation Metro Surge, alleging that excessive force was used during the crackdown on dissent. The lawsuit claims retaliation against people engaging in constitutionally protected conduct.
The Intercept's coverage of these incidents raises essential questions about how law enforcement agencies are handling public demonstrations and what role they play in protecting or suppressing civil liberties.
Kelly had witnessed an earlier shooting just ten days prior, when Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis was injured during a federal enforcement action in north Minneapolis. Kelly's account of that incident contradicted the official narrative released by the Department of Homeland Security. The unsettling experience made Kelly and his wife Alana Ericson wary of what they might see on Nicollet Avenue, where Pretti was killed.
As Kelly and his wife walked towards another section of the avenue, federal agents began shouting and running towards him. He had his hands up, saying "I'm leaving" repeatedly, but it was too late. Agents deployed pepper spray into his left eye, causing significant damage. The woman beside him at the time described seeing a bystander caught in a similar situation shortly afterwards.
Since Kelly's release from detention, he has been struggling to recover from the assault. He fears retaliation for acting as a witness and continues to experience nightmares about the incident. His wife Alana Ericson shared that she too is still reeling from the emotional toll of the arrest, describing it as "like a bad dream" and fearing that her husband might be targeted again.
The Minneapolis area has seen an unusual number of people taken into custody while observing or documenting federal activity in recent days. The Intercept reported on this trend earlier, highlighting how some attorneys have been followed by federal vehicles after monitoring immigration enforcement activity.
In light of these events, a group of Minnesota residents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against federal agents involved in Operation Metro Surge, alleging that excessive force was used during the crackdown on dissent. The lawsuit claims retaliation against people engaging in constitutionally protected conduct.
The Intercept's coverage of these incidents raises essential questions about how law enforcement agencies are handling public demonstrations and what role they play in protecting or suppressing civil liberties.
. I'm living in 2025 and it feels like we're reliving the same struggles from my childhood days back in the 90s & early 2000s. The whole thing with Clayton Kelly and Alex Pretti just breaks my heart 
. Can't believe what's happening to innocent people trying to speak out against injustice.
. But the tactics used by law enforcement agencies are just as concerning – it's like they think they can intimidate and silence us with force 
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. And now there's a lawsuit being filed against them? That's some good news, I guess 
. But we need to keep pushing for change and holding our leaders accountable. We can't let this kind of thing continue 
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. If federal agents are using excessive force on innocent bystanders who just happen to be documenting or witnessing an incident, that's a clear indication of a broader problem. It's not just about Kelly's case; it's about the systemic issues that allow this kind of behavior to go unchecked.
. The American Civil Liberties Union and Minnesota residents are right to take action against this egregious behavior, but it's also time for lawmakers to take notice and address these concerns.
. We need concrete reforms and accountability measures to ensure that our law enforcement agencies are working to protect us, not suppress us.
This is getting outta hand, fam. The feds gotta learn to chill. I mean, what's next? Tear gassing a kid 'cause he's holdin' up his phone to record the cops? 
This Clayton Kelly dude was just doin' his job, witnessin' some stuff and speakin' out... now he's payin' the price. And another nurse gets gunned down, what's good with that?! The system's supposed to protect us, not turn its back on us when we're tryin' to stand up for ourselves. We need real change, not just lip service from our so-called leaders 
how can ppl trust the system when this kinda thing keeps happening? 
it's not just Kelly, lots of ppl are getting taken into custody for observing or documenting federal activity... what's going on?! 
. The involvement of private attorneys and observers in monitoring immigration enforcement activity highlights a pressing need for transparency and cooperation between government agencies and civil society organizations 
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. And the thing is, he wasn't even doing anything wrong! He was just trying to document what was going on.
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. The way Operation Metro Surge is being handled raises some serious questions about police brutality and civil liberties... it's time for some answers! 
The lawsuit against federal agents for excessive force is a step in the right direction, but we need to keep asking questions about how law enforcement agencies are handling protests and civil liberties. We can't just sit back and let this happen to more people! 
. And what's even crazier is that his own wife is still dealing with the emotional trauma from watching her husband get arrested 
I mean, I've seen some protests in my time, but this stuff is just unbelievable. The fact that there's a class-action lawsuit against the agents who used excessive force gives me some hope, though 
. Maybe we can finally get some answers about what's going on and how to make things safer for people like Clayton Kelly 
.
we need more ppl like Clayton Kelly who aren't afraid to stand up for themselves and their community 
. According to a Pew Research Center survey, only 12% of respondents believed that police are "very effective" at preventing crime 
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We need more sources and evidence to back up their claims, you know? And if there's a federal class-action lawsuit filed against these agents, that's a good sign. Maybe we'll finally get some answers about what really went down.
. It's okay to take risks and challenge the status quo... that's how we create change! But we need to do so with care and compassion for those around us 
. This whole situation's a big wake-up call for all of us to re-examine our relationship with authority and each other 
. It's no wonder people are scared to speak out anymore. We need more accountability and transparency from our law enforcement agencies, especially when it comes to protecting civil liberties