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

All 14 of the defendants arraigned during Wednesday's hearing pleaded not guilty. A 15th defendant is jailed in Michigan in a related case.

 the Twin Cities residents conspired to interfere with immigration agents during the large-scale federal immigration enforcement 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 called for the charges to be dropped.

Ahead of her arraignment, Treasure Thoreson told supporters that the charges against her and her 14 co-defendants are political retribution by the Trump Administration for opposing ICE.

“This case we're here for today is all about intimidation and repression,” Thoreson said. “The federal government is terrified of our ability to organize about the strength of our labor unions and our ability to come together as neighbors to support each other when we are in need.” 

The case has drawn significant attention because it follows a series of 

 tied to the same immigration enforcement effort that were later dismissed or resolved without trial. 

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

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

After the defendants entered their not guilty pleas, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristian Weir and Sommer Honeycutt asked Magistrate Judge David Schultz to give them 90 days to hand over evidence that they’re required to provide to the defense. 

The prosecutors said that there are 20 terabytes of discovery materials, including around 15 terabytes of Signal chats, plus body camera videos and 47,000 pages of written reports and photos. Weir said that just copying the data 15 times over will take days, and the government also needs to redact personal information.

Attorney Surya Saxena, a former federal prosecutor who represents defendant Nat Kim, told Schultz that he doesn’t understand why the government needs so much time to hand over discovery, and that prosecutors should have thought about their obligations to the defendants before charging the case. 

Schultz did not grant the 90 day extension, but did direct the two sides to figure out a plan for handing over the government’s evidence. 

One of the 15 defendants, Kyle Wagner, remains in custody in Michigan on separate federal charges and is did not appear at the Wednesday hearing.

 Wagner at his Minneapolis home in February after prosecutors in Detroit  

him with cyberstalking and making threats. Authorities allege that Wagner “doxxed a pro-ICE individual” who lives in Michigan by publishing the person’s phone number and address. 

A judge ordered Wagner released, but an appellate court sided with prosecutors and stayed the release order. 

Prosecutors with the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office said in court on Wednesday that it’ll take about six weeks for U.S. marshals to transfer Wagner back to Minneapolis to face the latest charges. 

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All of the defendants arraigned Wednesday in Minneapolis federal court pleaded not guilty. 

Defendants plead not guilty in federal conspiracy case tied to immigration protests

Ben Hovland | MPR News

People wait in line outside a government building

Defendants plead not guilty in federal conspiracy case tied to immigration protests

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