A Liberian man was arrested in Minneapolis during a massive immigration crackdown that has left many questioning its legitimacy. Garrison Gibson, 37, had been regularly checking in with federal authorities for years, under an order of supervision that allowed him to remain in the US despite being ordered removed due to a 2008 drug conviction.
His lawyer, Marc Prokosch, claims that the agents who raided his client's home did not have a proper warrant, as they used a battering ram to break through the front door. Prokosch describes this as a "blatant constitutional violation," adding that even an administrative warrant does not allow officers to forcibly enter private homes.
Gibson had been in the country since he was a child, fleeing the Liberian civil war. He had been ordered removed due to his 2008 conviction for third-degree narcotics sales, but this conviction was later dismissed by the courts.
The arrest has raised questions about why Gibson was not arrested earlier, given his history of run-ins with the law. Prokosch suggests that his client's supposed "danger" level did not warrant such drastic action.
According to court records, Gibson's legal history is largely minor, with only one felony conviction on record. His lawyer claims that this does not justify the use of force in his arrest.
Gibson was flown to Texas by immigration authorities after his arrest and then quickly returned to Minnesota on a judge's order after Prokosch filed a habeas corpus petition. The case is still pending, with the courts yet to rule on whether Gibson's imprisonment is legal.
The arrest has added to the tensions in Minneapolis, where an immigration agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good last week, sparking widespread protests and clashes between authorities and activists. Activists had been monitoring the agents before Gibson's arrest, banging on drums and blowing whistles to disrupt the operation and warn neighbors.
In a disturbing display of force, video shows agents pushing and pepper-spraying demonstrators who were trying to intervene. The city is still reeling from Good's killing, with state and local officials urging the public to share any evidence they may have in an investigation into her death.
The Trump administration has defended the officer who shot Good, claiming he was protecting himself and fellow agents. However, videos of the confrontation show a different story. The US government insists that it will work on its own to investigate Good's death, but state and local officials are urging greater cooperation from federal authorities.
His lawyer, Marc Prokosch, claims that the agents who raided his client's home did not have a proper warrant, as they used a battering ram to break through the front door. Prokosch describes this as a "blatant constitutional violation," adding that even an administrative warrant does not allow officers to forcibly enter private homes.
Gibson had been in the country since he was a child, fleeing the Liberian civil war. He had been ordered removed due to his 2008 conviction for third-degree narcotics sales, but this conviction was later dismissed by the courts.
The arrest has raised questions about why Gibson was not arrested earlier, given his history of run-ins with the law. Prokosch suggests that his client's supposed "danger" level did not warrant such drastic action.
According to court records, Gibson's legal history is largely minor, with only one felony conviction on record. His lawyer claims that this does not justify the use of force in his arrest.
Gibson was flown to Texas by immigration authorities after his arrest and then quickly returned to Minnesota on a judge's order after Prokosch filed a habeas corpus petition. The case is still pending, with the courts yet to rule on whether Gibson's imprisonment is legal.
The arrest has added to the tensions in Minneapolis, where an immigration agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good last week, sparking widespread protests and clashes between authorities and activists. Activists had been monitoring the agents before Gibson's arrest, banging on drums and blowing whistles to disrupt the operation and warn neighbors.
In a disturbing display of force, video shows agents pushing and pepper-spraying demonstrators who were trying to intervene. The city is still reeling from Good's killing, with state and local officials urging the public to share any evidence they may have in an investigation into her death.
The Trump administration has defended the officer who shot Good, claiming he was protecting himself and fellow agents. However, videos of the confrontation show a different story. The US government insists that it will work on its own to investigate Good's death, but state and local officials are urging greater cooperation from federal authorities.
This whole thing with Garrison Gibson is super sketchy, man... I mean, I get that they're trying to crack down on immigration issues, but this is just too extreme. Using a battering ram to break into his house? That's like something out of a bad action movie, not law enforcement 101. And what's up with the fact that he was never arrested earlier for his "danger" level? It's like they knew he wasn't going anywhere.
That's just devastating. I mean, I know there's a lot of tension in Minneapolis right now, but this is just getting out of hand. The fact that the US government isn't being more transparent with their investigation into her death is concerning, to say the least.
... I mean, I get that immigration laws need to be enforced, but does this have to involve using force? It feels like our system is still super broken from the Bush era days, you know? Like, a battering ram just to make an arrest? That's not justice, that's some crazy FBI stuff 
. And why didn't they do anything about Renee Good's death yet? I mean, it's been weeks and still no one has been held accountable... it's all about the optics at this point. The government is trying to spin this as "protecting themselves," but we see what really goes down 
. We need some real change in our immigration laws, and maybe just a little less militarization of our cities 
sounds like they're just looking for an excuse to crack down on immigrants, if you ask me. 
hope Gibson gets a fair shake in court and that justice is served...
this is getting outta hand 
! Gibson just gets arrested 4 checking in with the gov like he's supposed 2 
. I mean, one felony conviction? That's it? 
Not worth bringin' out the heavy artillery 
, imo 
. And what about Renee Good's case? 
still no answers 
... state & local officials are askin for help from the feds 
but they're not gettin in 
, ya feel me? 
and then there's this other guy Renee Good getting shot by some agent 
that's not cool at all, i mean i get it they gotta protect themselves, but a little less pepper spray pls ? 
and what's with the warrants? did they just wing it or wut ?? 
.
& btw, if Gibson was such a threat, why wasn't he arrested sooner? 
. First, there was the shooting of Renee Good, now this immigration crackdown... something just doesn't add up. We need to see some real accountability from our leaders and an end to this senseless violence 
.
.
. The parallels between Gibson's case and the recent killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis are eerie and disturbing 
. We need to be vigilant about holding those in power accountable for their actions, particularly when it comes to issues of life, liberty, and the pursuit of justice