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Supporters of the group known as the "Minnesota 15" were gathering across the street from the federal courthouse in Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon ahead of a hearing in the federal conspiracy case tied to immigration enforcement protests.

Fourteen of the 15 defendants are scheduled to be arraigned during the 1:30 p.m. hearing. The 15th defendant, Kyle Wagner, remains in custody in Michigan on separate federal charges and is not expected to appear in court.

Federal prosecutors allege the 15 Twin Cities residents conspired to interfere with immigration enforcement during the large-scale federal operation known as Operation Metro Surge earlier this year. 

The indictment accuses the defendants of coordinating encrypted Signal chats and rapid-response networks, tracking immigration officers, organizing blockades around the Whipple Federal Building and raising money to support those efforts. Prosecutors say the case is based on the defendants' alleged actions, not their political views.

Supporters and defense attorneys dispute those allegations, arguing the government is criminalizing protest activity and protected speech. Demonstrators are expected to call for the charges to be dropped outside the courthouse before the hearing.

The case has drawn significant attention because it follows a series of other federal prosecutions tied to the same immigration operation that were later dismissed or resolved without trial. 

Defense attorneys have questioned whether the government's latest allegations will hold up in court, while U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen has said evidence, including Signal messages and other communications, will support the conspiracy charges.

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Supporters of the “Minnesota 15” are expected at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis as 14 defendants face arraignment in a conspiracy case tied to immigration enforcement protests.

Arraignments begin in federal conspiracy case tied to immigration protests

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