A quiet lunch at a Minneapolis deli turned into a terrifying confrontation when a group aggressively targeted five tech workers. The incident unfolded at Clancey’s Deli, escalating from a false accusation to a barrage of threats and obscenities.
The ordeal began with a message sent to one of the workers, who was part of an online chat discussing protests against ICE. The message claimed ICE agents were inside the deli, a claim the sender asserted was “confirmed by the owner.” This immediately raised alarm and disbelief among the group.
Outside the restaurant, a crowd identifying themselves as “SW Minneapolis Rapid Response” gathered, shouting insults and demands. Their aggression was immediate and pointed, fueled by the false information they’d received.
“Get out of our fking neighborhood,” one protester yelled, encapsulating the hostile atmosphere. The group’s logic was stark: anyone not actively supporting their cause was considered an enemy.
The tech workers attempted to explain their profession, stating they developed apps for various companies. Their explanation was met with scorn and disbelief, dismissed as a deceptive tactic.
“Do I look like an ICE agent?” one worker asked, desperately seeking reason. The response was chilling: “Yeah, you look like a fking ICE agent.” The protesters refused to acknowledge their innocence.
The situation rapidly deteriorated as the protesters continued their verbal assault, demanding support for their anti-ICE agenda. One worker bravely challenged their methods, stating their behavior was damaging to their cause.
He simply wanted to enjoy his lunch, and expressed no support for ICE, but that didn’t quell the hostility. The group’s anger seemed to override any sense of logic or fairness.
The threats became deeply personal and disturbing. One of the workers, identified as Lee, revealed they were called abhorrent names and wished death upon. The protesters’ leader reportedly justified the abuse by citing “white privilege.”
Lee and his colleagues believe the deli owner’s initial claim is directly responsible for the terrifying situation. They felt the owner recklessly endangered their safety by falsely identifying them to a volatile group.
“My buddy thought we were going to get shot,” Lee stated, highlighting the genuine fear they experienced. He emphasized the danger of falsely accusing individuals, particularly to those already inclined towards extremism.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly misinformation can escalate into real-world danger, and the devastating consequences of unchecked aggression and false accusations.
