Crowds on Demand CEO Condemns Minneapolis Anti-ICE Protests as Illegal and Dangerous
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In the wake of a fatal shooting during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, the CEO of Crowds on Demand, a national protest-organizing firm, has publicly distanced his company from the ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis. Adam Swart described the protests as crossing into “illegal chaos,” emphasizing that his firm would not participate in organizing or supporting the events due to their unlawful tactics and potential danger to both protesters and law enforcement.
Swart told Fox News Digital that Crowds on Demand “would not touch the Minneapolis protests with a 10-foot pole,” pointing specifically to the blocking of roadways, obstruction of federal agents, and threats against authorities as actions that violate the law. “Blocking roadways, obstructing federal agents and threatening authorities are illegal, and we don’t engage in any form of illegal protest,” he said, warning that such tactics ultimately undermine the demonstrators’ objectives. “The impact of these protests will actually be to increase ICE operations, not decrease them.”
The protests erupted after a fatal shooting involving ICE agents during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Images and reports from the scene showed demonstrators blocking streets and confronting federal officers, actions that have raised concerns among law enforcement officials and public safety advocates. According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, maintaining the safety and mobility of officers during such operations is critical.
Swart highlighted the risks posed by mixing peaceful protesters with more volatile agitators. “A lot of the people protesting on the streets are actually violent,” he said. “They are unhinged, unstable people who pose a risk to peaceful protesters. That’s why we’re staying out.”
Rejecting claims that tactics like blocking roads or confronting officers constitute “nonviolent resistance,” Swart insisted these actions are inherently dangerous, especially amid active law enforcement operations. “When you block the ability of federal agents to get in and out of a scene, you are putting them at risk from a violent mob,” he explained. “That ability to enter and exit safely is fundamental to law enforcement.”
Winter weather conditions in Minneapolis further exacerbate the dangers, Swart noted. “The roads are icy and snowy,” he said. “You’re creating barriers that put vehicles at risk, and you’re also putting yourself and other protesters at risk.”
Beyond the immediate concerns for law enforcement and protesters, Swart warned that blocking roadways jeopardizes the broader community. “Who else can’t get through when roads are blocked? Ambulances. Fire trucks,” he said. “Emergency services have nothing to do with politics, and you’re making it impossible for them to do their jobs.”
The CEO’s comments echo warnings from public officials such as Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who has condemned the obstruction of federal agents and emphasized the importance of lawful protest. The Department of Homeland Security has also reiterated that interference with federal operations is unlawful and endangers lives.
Swart stressed that illegal protest tactics ultimately erode the credibility and effectiveness of the demonstrators’ message. “When protesters commit illegal activity, what’s lost is the substance of the message,” he said. “Instead of advancing their cause, they alienate the public and invite stronger enforcement responses.”
As Minneapolis continues to grapple with the fallout from the ICE operation and the subsequent demonstrations, the debate over the limits of protest and the line between civil disobedience and unlawful conduct remains sharply contested. Swart’s firm, which specializes in organizing crowds for various causes, has made a clear decision to avoid involvement in the Minneapolis unrest, underscoring the complexities and risks inherent in the current climate of protest and enforcement.
For more information on lawful protest guidelines and federal enforcement policies, visit the American Civil Liberties Union and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites.
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