FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A car was seen pushing through a crowd of protesters during an ICE enforcement demonstration in downtown Fargo on February 1, 2026, sparking debate about the legality of such actions.
Video of the incident shows hundreds of people gathered to protest recent ICE enforcement when a car drove through the crowd the moment a crosswalk sign changed, allowing pedestrians to legally cross the road.
Protesters attempted to block the vehicle and exchanged words with the passenger before it drove away.
No one was injured and the march continued.
The video has been shared multiple times on social media, raising questions about the legality of driving through streets where protests are happening.
According to Fargo Police, it is illegal for protesters to block roads. Anyone crossing the street without the proper walk sign, like in the February 1 video, was violating city code.
“Is it a violation of city ordinance? It is. Is it one that we go out and look to enforce on a daily basis? It’s not,” said Captain Travis Moser of the Fargo Police Department.
In 2017, a bill was introduced in North Dakota that would have protected drivers who inadvertently hit a pedestrian during a protest. The legislation was proposed in response to Dakota Access Pipeline protesters who blocked roads to stall construction. That bill ultimately failed.
“Obviously, we support the First Amendment, we’re there to ensure people can protest lawfully, and exercise their first amendment right, and also to prevent people from coming in and causing problems,” Moser added. “We ask that you are mindful of motorists that are trying to get places.”
Moser emphasized the balance between protecting protesters’ rights and ensuring traffic safety.
He said, “It’s all about the safety of everybody involved. The protests and the motorists… If you’re driving down the road and you do see some sort of a demonstration, we ask you to use patience and let them cross.”
Fargo Police said they are aware of the video and will continue to monitor any protests to ensure safety.
With any protest, they may have to intervene, but it is typically an educational discussion rather than issuing a criminal citation.
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