Feds charge Lopez in Lake St. anti-ICE protest. She’s now free on bond.
Isabel Lopez, age 27, described in local media as a community activist, has been indicted on four counts of assault and resisting arrest, all related to the anti-ICE protests on Lake Street in south Minneapolis on June 3. Lopez was booked into federal custody in Sherburne County.
After a court hearing in St. Paul this morning, Lopez was released on bond. Among the conditions of her release, she has to surrender her passport and not leave the state without permission.
Oddly enough, it’s now (finally) being acknowledged that the Federal activity that day had nothing to do with illegal immigration or ICE. She needn’t have bothered, as it turned out.
The Minnesota Star Tribune is out today with an apology of sorts:
How misinformation amplified chaos during federal operation on Lake Street.
The federal law enforcement operation that netted 900 pounds of methamphetamine was initially described as an immigration raid on social media and by the Star Tribune.
Now they tell us. Oops, never mind. But too late for Ms. Lopez. The Star Tribune clarifies:
Last week’s federal law enforcement action was part of a drug bust that netted 900 pounds of methamphetamine and did not center on immigration, despite the involvement of ICE agents. But messaging from city officials clarifying that didn’t stop protests and confrontations from unfolding.
Much of the media’s attention has fallen on Lopez with the unrelated drugs, gun, money laundering and human trafficking case remaining under seal for now. The Star Tribune reports:
Search warrants still sealed days after federal operation on Lake Street spurred protests:
A criminal complaint against a protester is the only insight so far into the large-scale investigation that prompted searches by federal agents.
The press release issued on the Lopez case does include some background on the underlying meth-related case. It also includes photos of Lopez in action on the day in question. That’s her in the light blue hoodie.
A preliminary court schedule published earlier this week would have the Lopez trial begin in mid-August.