Chaos goes off the rails as protesters mob Jake Lang's truck and pepper spray flies

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: What began as a political rally in Minneapolis ended in a chaotic confrontation around Jake Lang’s vehicle on Saturday, August 22, as counter-protesters crowded the area near City Hall and pepper spray was reportedly used during the clashes.

Lang, a conservative activist who helped organize the rally, was leaving the area in a vehicle when protesters surrounded and confronted the car. 

Videos from the scene showed demonstrators moving around the vehicle as it attempted to get away, turning the end of the rally into a chaotic standoff.

Police later arrested Lang and others.

Protesters swarmed vehicle to attack Jake Lang

The rally, initially promoted as the 'N-March', had drawn Lang and supporters from local far-right groups to Minneapolis City Hall.

The demonstrators were calling for the resignation of Mayor Jacob Frey, but the political message quickly gave way to confrontation when counter-protesters arrived.

According to local media reports, Lang was surrounded by protesters before leaving the area in his car.

The media reported that Lang was not seen outside the vehicle during the confrontation.

Footage circulating online showed people gathering around the departing car and striking or pushing toward it as it moved away.

Another video shared by journalist Oliya Scootercaster on X appeared to show a counter-protester being hit with pepper spray during the confrontation.

The person appeared to be in significant discomfort and crying for help.

Minneapolis police later said Jake Lang and everyone inside the vehicles were arrested on probable cause for rioting.

Jake Lang's rallies keep going wrong

The Minneapolis confrontation was not an isolated flare-up for Lang.

His appearance in Dearborn, Michigan, just four days earlier had already drawn a large crowd and a heavy police presence.

On August 18, Lang and Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell led what organizers called the 'Christian Crusader March' outside a Dearborn City Council meeting.

Supporters and counter-protesters gathered at the new venue where the meeting had been moved because officials expected a larger-than-usual crowd.

The standoff turned disorderly, with protesters pushing against police and barricades being knocked down.

Officers in riot gear were brought in, and Dearborn police later said 22 people were arrested.

That confrontation also featured sharply opposing groups shouting over one another as Lang addressed the crowd and spoke during the council meeting.

Minneapolis took that pattern of confrontation a step further.

On Saturday, protesters did not simply disperse once Lang’s event wound down.

As his vehicle attempted to leave, a crowd moved toward it, surrounding and striking the truck while police tried to create a path through the protesters.