Jake Lang, the pardoned January 6 defendant turned free speech activist, was arrested for probable cause riot after police said vehicles he was traveling in drove onto a sidewalk toward a crowd outside Minneapolis City Hall. All occupants of two vehicles were taken into custody and both vehicles impounded.
Jake Lang, the pardoned January 6 defendant turned free speech activist, was arrested Saturday after police said vehicles he was traveling in drove onto a sidewalk toward a crowd outside Minneapolis City Hall. Lang and all other occupants of two vehicles were taken into custody on probable cause riot, and both vehicles were impounded.
Minneapolis police said the arrests came after Lang's group arrived at City Hall just before noon for a rally he had publicly announced as a peaceful freedom of speech event. Counter-protesters clashed with the group, chemical irritant was deployed on both sides, and multiple officers were assaulted before the situation spiraled into the arrests.
According to the Minneapolis Police Department, Lang arrived at City Hall around 11:50 a.m. Saturday with six other people in two vehicles. Police said both vehicles drove onto a sidewalk outside City Hall toward a group of people gathered there, prompting officers to move in and direct the vehicles off the sidewalk and out of the area.
Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson said officers knew about the event in advance and had positioned a significant number of personnel and barriers around City Hall to separate demonstrators from vehicle traffic. Peterson said the vehicles were driving slowly when they mounted the sidewalk near Forest Street and Third Avenue South, and that a crowd quickly surrounded them.
"Almost immediately, a confrontation developed between members of the crowd and individuals associated with both vehicles," Peterson said. "Chemical irritant believed to be mace was deployed by individuals on both sides." Police said Minneapolis officers did not deploy mace during the incident.
The confrontation turned physical as officers worked to clear the sidewalk. Peterson said multiple officers were hit by thrown objects, and three Minneapolis police officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. A civilian was also injured, though police did not immediately detail those circumstances.
After officers created a path for the vehicles to leave and de-escalate the situation, both were pulled over a short time later with help from the Minnesota State Patrol and Bloomington police. One vehicle was stopped near Washington Avenue and Interstate 35W, and the other near Lindau Lane and IKEA Way in Bloomington.
All occupants of both vehicles, including Lang, were arrested on probable cause riot, and both vehicles were impounded. Police also made four additional arrests near City Hall, with one person facing probable cause riot, one facing fifth-degree assault, one facing disorderly conduct, and one facing obstructing legal process.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned Lang's actions during a press conference and said he had previously encouraged residents to ignore the event. Frey acknowledged that people on both sides are entitled to exercise their First Amendment rights even when he finds the message abhorrent.
"If you're going to come in here, you're going to drive on the sidewalk, you're going to incite a riot, and you're going to be a problem for people's safety, then you're going to get arrested," Frey said. "And that was exactly the case with Jake Lang."
Lang had announced on July 24 that he would return to Minneapolis for a peaceful freedom of speech rally, and said Shiloh Hendrix would be a guest. It was unclear whether Hendrix attended. Video from the scene showed Lang clinging to a large cross as counter-protesters swarmed his vehicle and doused him with liquid before officers moved between him and the crowd.
Lang was previously charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, including allegations that he assaulted police officers. His case was dismissed after President Trump ordered broad pardons and dismissal of pending January 6 cases in January 2025.
Saturday's rally was not Lang's first trip to Minneapolis. He appeared in the city on January 17 during what organizers called Operation Metro Surge, where supporters and counter-protesters clashed over his criticism of Islam and his calls for stronger immigration enforcement. He has also drawn large counter-demonstrations in Dearborn, Michigan, where officials urged residents to stay away.
Police said more information would be provided at a press conference with Frey and police officials. It was not immediately clear whether Lang remained in custody or what specific charges prosecutors would file. The arrests are the latest flashpoint in a string of confrontations that have followed the pardoned activist to multiple cities.
Jake Lang, the pardoned January 6 defendant turned free speech activist, was arrested for probable cause riot after police said vehicles he was traveling in drove onto a sidewalk toward a crowd outside Minneapolis City Hall. All occupants of two vehicles were taken into custody and both vehicles impounded.
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