Tyler Church

In a statement to University community members, Provost Gretchen Ritter and Chief Information Officer Tarek Tomes assured students, staff and faculty that the site has been reviewed for security and acknowledged the stress the shutdown may have caused, as the University begins its spring final exam season.

Shortly after 1 p.m. this afternoon, four demonstrators chained themselves to the outside of Morrill Hall, demanding University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham declare the University as a sanctuary campus. The demonstrators plan to remain chained to Morrill Hall until their demands are met. The group of demonstrators consists of members of Young Democratic Socialists of America, Students for Justice in Palestine and Students for a Democratic Society.

The University of Minnesota Police Department, in partnership with several local and state law enforcement agencies, arrested roughly 40 protesters outside of the Graduate Hotel Wednesday night following a protest. The protest, meant to disturb the suspected ICE agents staying at the Stadium Village hotel, began around 8 p.m. Hundreds gathered outside of the hotel, using tools like pots, makeshift drums and airhorns in an effort to condemn the alleged lodging of federal agents.