Minnesota Labor Unions Denounce Federal Surveillance Operation Puppet Master

Labor unions, faith leaders, and civil rights organizations in Minnesota have united to denounce Operation Puppet Master, an alleged Department of Homeland Security surveillance program that targeted labor groups and community activists during a federal immigration enforcement campaign known as Operation Metro Surge. Speaking at a press conference outside Target headquarters in downtown Minneapolis, coalition leaders called for community solidarity and urged major corporations based in Minnesota to sign a pledge supporting democratic rights.

The existence of the surveillance operation came to light in a legal discovery motion filed by Kevin Riach, defense attorney for healthcare worker Isaac Sant. Sant is among 15 individuals, dubbed the Minnesota 15, who were indicted by the federal government on conspiracy charges linked to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Court documents show that federal agents secretly recorded private union meetings, compiled intelligence dossiers on ordinary citizens using law enforcement databases, and issued subpoenas for the financial records of several major unions, including the AFL-CIO, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, SEIU locals, and the Communications Workers of America.

More than half of the 15 indicted individuals are rank-and-file union members. Activists and defense attorneys argue the federal prosecution is an attempt to criminalize protected speech and organized labor. Alec Stewart, a union member and one of the defendants, said at the press conference that the government targeted the state's unified labor movement while conducting enforcement actions against immigrant families. Treasure Thoreson, a teacher and board member of Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59 who was also indicted, noted that federal agents cited her donation to a online fundraiser as evidence of a criminal conspiracy.

Community organizer Gabriel Van de Water described the federal actions as an effort to manufacture a conspiracy to deter public protest, referencing reports from Human Rights Watch that documented human rights concerns during Operation Metro Surge. Kieran Knutson, president of Communications Workers of America Local 7250, reaffirmed the labor movement's support for the defendants, describing the federal prosecution as an attack on working-class solidarity.

The coalition focused its protest outside Target, calling on the retail giant alongside Minnesota-based corporations Best Buy, 3M, and Cargill to sign the business for democracy pledge before early voting begins. Marcia Howard, president of Minneapolis Federation of Educators Local 59, urged consumers to support a labor-backed back-to-school boycott of Target initiated by the American Federation of Teachers and endorsed by the national AFL-CIO.

Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, executive director of Unidos MN, highlighted how federal agents monitored churches, libraries, and local businesses, including detaining individuals inside a Target store in Richfield. Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham stated that the federal government is weaponizing law enforcement to intimidate peaceful opposition, emphasizing that Minnesota labor organizations will remain unintimidated and continue advocating for constitutional rights and worker protections.

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