MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Several hundred protesters gathered at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sunday, and briefly made their way inside, to rally against President Donald Trump’s executive order that temporary bans people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Protesters carried signs supporting Muslims, including ones that read: “Muslims are welcome here.” People also chanted “Let them in; no hate, no fear,” during the demonstration, which was among numerous rallies held at airports nationwide to protest Trump’s order.
Two people were arrested at the Minnesota rally: One male was arrested after sitting in the middle of the roadway and refusing orders to move, and a second male was arrested after refusing orders to leave, said Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman Patrick Hogan.
Hogan said the protesters had a permit to be outside until 3 p.m. but moved into the terminal at about 2:15 p.m. He said some airlines shut down ticketing counters near the demonstration because of noise. He said the crowd dispersed at about 3:40 p.m.
Earlier Sunday, U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar called for the immigration order to be rescinded. The Democrats spoke at a news conference alongside a woman whose 4-year-old daughter could be stranded in Uganda as a result of the travel ban, the Star Tribune reported.
Samira Dahir, a Somali refugee who came to Minneapolis in 2013, said her daughter, Mushkaad, was scheduled to fly with an escort from Kampala to Minnesota on Monday, but her status was now in doubt. It’s unclear whether her visa will be honored in the wake of Trump’s order and a later federal court ruling that stayed Trump’s order.
“We’re hopeful,” Dahir said. “We don’t know yet.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.