Minnesota public safety heads urge calm, emphasize readiness for planned protests

ST. PAUL — Public safety leaders in Minnesota on Friday, Jan. 16, called on those planning to participate in protests in Minneapolis this weekend to be peaceful, while emphasizing that resources are being prepared to enforce the law if there is any threat to public safety.

National Guard troops will be available to support local law enforcement agencies, Commissioner Bob Jacobson of the

Department of Public Safety

and Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke of the

Minnesota Army National Guard

told reporters during a briefing.

Jacobson urged those planning to participate in demonstrations to show others that Minnesota is a safe place.

“I’m counting on those who are going to be in attendance at these locations to keep the peace, to show others that Minnesota is a safe place where people can demonstrate, can share their opinions and their voices without having any violence.”

The commissioner said local law enforcement will be joined by state and other public safety agencies and will be a visible presence at the demonstrations. Law enforcement will have a “large complement” of officers at the scene, he said.

Jacobson said soldiers with the Guard will be staged in a way that they can respond quickly if needed. Troops were available in the same way last weekend as well, but were not called on, he said. The commissioner said that he is optimistic that demonstrations will be peaceful and soldiers will not be called.

Conservative influencer Jake Lang promoted a “March Against Minnesota Fraud” protest outside of Minneapolis City Hall on Saturday, Jan. 17, according to published reports. Law enforcement officers would be on location to protect the nearby Cedar Riverside neighborhood as well.