Protesters Get a Reality Check

A protest against Border Patrol in Minnesota took a turn for the worse when agitators started hurling objects at cops. The demonstration, which was supposed to be peaceful, quickly deteriorated into chaos. The police had to step in and make arrests after the situation got out of hand.

The Protesters’ Dirty Past

It turns out that some of the protesters have a history of run-ins with the law. Justin Neal Shelton, one of the arrested protesters, has a conviction for aggravated robbery. He pleaded guilty to beating up a pregnant woman in 2007. Abraham Nelson Coleman, another protester, has a string of convictions for theft and property damage.

Then there’s Jaylynn Marie Rodriguez, a law student who was arrested on charges of riot. She’s quite the activist, with a history of promoting social justice causes. But it seems like she’s more interested in causing chaos than actually making a difference.

The Police Weigh In

The Maple Grove Police Department said that they respect the right to peaceful protest, but they won’t tolerate violence or property damage. ‘Individuals participating in criminal acts are not protected under the First Amendment and were subject to arrest,’ they said in a statement.

The whole debacle is a reminder that protests can quickly turn ugly when things get out of hand. It’s a shame that some people can’t seem to get their message across without resorting to violence and destruction.