Independent journalist Nick Sortor, a 27-year-old D.C.-based reporter known for on-the-ground coverage of protests and immigration from a right-wing perspective, and his associate Cam Higby were involved in a tense confrontation during an anti-ICE protest outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. According to Sortor, protesters surrounded his vehicle, struck the car, and blocked its path while he and Higby were documenting the demonstration. In response to the growing aggression, Sortor drove the vehicle to exit the crowd and ensure his and his colleague’s safety.
Video footage circulated online shows protesters shouting, striking the vehicle, and attempting to impede its movement. The situation escalated as federal law enforcement personnel deployed crowd-control measures, including pepper balls and flashbangs, to disperse the demonstrators and restore order. Sortor later reported being detained by Minneapolis police after individuals called authorities and made claims regarding the vehicle’s movement, though he maintains all actions were taken in self-defense in a volatile environment.
Authorities confirmed no serious injuries occurred during the incident, though the event highlights the challenges journalists face when covering emotionally charged demonstrations involving immigration enforcement. The incident also underscores the importance of rapid coordination by law enforcement to protect both civilians and reporters in unpredictable situations. Minneapolis police continue to review the circumstances of the detention, the protest’s escalation, and law enforcement responses.
The event has prompted discussion on the limits of protest behavior and public safety during demonstrations. Viewers are encouraged to consider the balance between freedom of assembly and the safety of individuals present, including journalists operating in high-tension environments.
What do you think about the protesters’ actions and the journalist’s response in this incident? Was this a case of unsafe protest behavior or an unfortunate misunderstanding?
Here’s the video capturing the confrontation:
