Lake Street protester freed, pleads not guilty to assaulting federal agents
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A woman charged with attacking law enforcement during a protest in Minneapolis pleaded not guilty at a brief hearing Thursday morning before a judge released her from the Sherburne County Jail.
Isabel Lopez, 27, was among a group of about 100 people who protested what they thought was an immigration raid at a restaurant on June 3.
Federal agents, including some from ICE and some wearing masks, arrived at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in armored vehicles. Authorities said later that the agents were executing a search warrant at Taqueria y Birrieria las Cuatro Milpas as part of a narcotics investigation and that the raid was not related to immigration.
Lopez allegedly kicked and threw a softball at officers. The FBI says she later punched an agent who came to arrest her on Monday.
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Federal prosecutors did not seek continued detention. A judge freed Lopez after she promised to abide by conditions, including surrendering her passport, submitting to regular drug testing and not speaking with any potential witnesses.
Lopez was not required to post bond; cash bond is rare in the federal court system.
Dozens of supporters rallied outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul on Lopez’s behalf. The group included Indigenous dancers.
Miguel Hernandez said that he came to support Lopez because she’s a pillar of the community.
"She helps people all over Minneapolis and St. Paul,” Hernandez said. “I’ve seen her work with families in crisis and I knew that if anybody needed support the way she has supported our communities, it should be us here for her as well."
The restaurant was one of eight Twin Cities locations searched that day. While the search warrants remain sealed, the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office released some details about the investigation in their criminal complaint against Lopez.
