An activist who was forcibly removed from her vehicle by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a Minneapolis protest has initiated legal proceedings against the federal government. Aliya Rahman, a 42-year-old social justice trainer and US citizen, filed a tort claim alleging constitutional rights violations and excessive force during her arrest on January 13.
The Confrontation and Arrest
According to the legal filing and video evidence, Rahman was sitting in her black Ford Fusion during a protest where ICE agents were conducting operations. The situation escalated when agents gave conflicting commands—some yelling for her to drive away while others demanded she exit the vehicle. Dramatic footage shows Rahman crying out, "I'm disabled, I'm trying to go to the doctor up there," as four masked officers dragged her from the car.
Escalation of Force
The incident intensified when an officer smashed the passenger side window of Rahman's vehicle. Despite initially driving forward a few feet when the road ahead appeared clear, Rahman stopped again. Multiple officials then surrounded the car and detained her. Protesters at the scene were heard shouting and begging officers to stop as at least three male officials shoved Rahman against the car and handcuffed her.
Medical and Legal Consequences
Rahman, who is autistic and sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2024, alleges she was denied medical treatment after her arrest. She claims to have experienced slurred speech and blurry vision due to stress exacerbating her pre-existing condition, eventually passing out in her cell. Following her release, she reported torn shoulder tendons from being lifted by her limbs and ongoing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms.
Legal Representation and Claims
Attorneys from two law firms representing Rahman described the incident as a "brutal assault and unjust and inhumane detention." Chisato Kimura, one of her lawyers, called the experience "horrific" and emphasized that Rahman was simply attempting to attend a medical appointment. Al Gerhardstein, another attorney on the case, noted this is among dozens of potential tort claims being investigated regarding treatment by federal agents during ICE raids in Minnesota.
Government Response and Background
ICE accused Rahman in February of "impeding or interfering with federal officers" by not driving away from the protest scene, though she was never formally charged. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson reiterated that obstruction of law enforcement is a federal crime and denied allegations about medical care denial, calling them "FALSE" and part of a "smear."
Rahman's Activist Background
Records show Rahman has been involved in activism for years, dedicating her time to LGBTQ, immigrant, and racial justice causes. She became involved in advocacy work while studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue University after two cousins were killed in the 9/11 attacks. The registered Democrat, who identifies as genderqueer, has had previous encounters with law enforcement including:
- A 2009 charge for driving without insurance in Illinois
- A 2010 guilty plea for driving under the influence in Ohio
- Subsequent convictions for traffic violations and disorderly conduct
- An arrest for silent protest during President Trump's 2020 State of the Union address
Potential Legal Outcome
The tort claim has the potential to become a full lawsuit if the government fails to respond within six months or disputes the allegations. Gerhardstein expressed hope that pursuing such claims could lead to reform and prevent similar incidents. "We really hope that we'll be able to show that this should never happen again," he stated regarding the filing's purpose.
