ICE Protest Organizer Faces 6 Years for Attending Meetings
A college professor in St. Paul, Minnesota, was pulled from his car in a belly chain on June 16 — not for violence, but for helping organize a community meeting about ICE. Erik Davis, 53, now faces up to six years in prison. The case is raising urgent questions about whether attending a protest or joining a Signal group chat can be treated as a federal crime.
Federal agents arrested Davis on charges of conspiring to "impede or injure" ICE officers. The 94-page indictment names him and 14 others as members of Direct Action Minnesota, a loose coalition of community organizers. The government claims the group used "force, intimidation, and threats" to obstruct federal law enforcement — and alleges ties to "antifa." But the indictment does not accuse Davis of any violent act, any specific action at a protest, or any direct encounter with an ICE agent.
What the government does allege: Davis helped facilitate an emergency community meeting on January 11 where residents discussed protest tactics like marches and civil disobedience. He shared information about upcoming protests in a Signal group chat. He suggested people delete the group chat during demonstrations — a common practice, he says, because officers sometimes access phones during arrests. That is the full scope of the allegations against him personally. Minnesota US Attorney Daniel Rosen said at a press conference that physical harm to officers was not the measure of criminality in this case.
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A Pattern Prosecutors Are Using Nationwide
Civil rights advocates say these prosecutions follow a deliberate strategy: charge community organizers with conspiracy, highlight the most extreme statements made by anyone in the broader coalition, and use the weight of the indictment itself as punishment — even if the case eventually collapses. A similar case in Chicago fell apart last month. In Texas, protesters were convicted of terrorism charges, but in that case one protester shot and injured an officer. No injuries to ICE officers are alleged in the Minnesota case. Co-defendant Natasha Rakotz, a 45-year-old home health aide, faces up to 26 years — including a 20-year assault charge stemming from a car collision that state prosecutors had already dropped as a misdemeanor.
What This Means If You Organize Against Deportation
Davis says the government's goal is broader than his case: "This isn't just about us. It's about trying to scare everybody who opposes ICE." No trial date has been set. Cases like this can take months or longer to resolve. In the meantime, Davis says the charges have already disrupted his career, his sleep, and his personal relationships. "The process is the punishment," said Rakotz.
What to Do
- If you participate in any community organizing, know-your-rights training, or Signal groups related to immigration enforcement, speak with an immigration or criminal defense attorney before you face any legal action — not after.
- You have the right to remain silent if federal agents approach you. Do not explain your activism, your group memberships, or your ideology without a lawyer present.
- If you are an immigrant (not a US citizen), a federal arrest — even without a conviction — can trigger removal proceedings (deportation). Contact an immigration lawyer immediately if you are arrested at a protest or organizing event.
- Document everything: save records of your own actions, communications, and any interactions with law enforcement. Your attorney will need this if charges are filed.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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The conspiracy charges in this case are broad enough to sweep in people whose only documented actions were attending meetings and posting in group chats — that is a serious legal risk for any non-citizen activist. If you are not a US citizen and you are involved in any anti-deportation organizing, you should understand that a federal arrest alone can be used to initiate removal proceedings, regardless of whether you are ever convicted. Keep records of your own conduct, avoid discussing your activities with anyone other than your attorney, and consult an immigration lawyer who also has criminal defense experience before any legal trouble arises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be deported for attending a protest against ICE?
Attending a peaceful protest is generally protected by the First Amendment. However, if you are arrested — even on charges that are later dropped — that arrest can be used by immigration authorities to start removal proceedings against non-citizens. The outcome depends heavily on your immigration status, the specific charges, and your criminal history. An immigration lawyer can assess your individual risk.
Is it illegal to share protest information in a Signal group chat?
Sharing information about protests is generally protected speech. But in the Minnesota case, federal prosecutors are arguing that the combination of group chat activity, meeting attendance, and the actions of others in the same coalition adds up to a criminal conspiracy. No court has ruled on these charges yet — the case is ongoing and no trial date has been set.
What should I do if federal agents arrest me at or near a protest?
Stay calm. You have the right to remain silent — use it. Do not explain your beliefs, your group memberships, or what you were doing. Ask for a lawyer immediately and do not answer questions until one is present. If you are not a US citizen, contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible, because a federal arrest can have immigration consequences separate from any criminal case.
Can the government use my political beliefs as evidence of a crime?
In the Minnesota indictment, prosecutors cited defendants' self-described ideologies — words like "anarchist" and "anti-capitalist" — as part of the conspiracy evidence. Civil rights advocates argue this criminalizes protected political speech. Courts have not yet ruled on whether this approach is constitutional in this specific case. If you face similar charges, a criminal defense attorney can challenge the use of political speech as evidence.