HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — The University of Minnesota has urged its students and teachers to act peacefully in protests against the Trump administration.

School leadership said in a message last week that people demonstrating against I.C.E., which has targeted noncitizens in the state, must be calm.

“We condemn any actions that would disrupt the learning environment, the social cohesion and the engaged campus life that make the University of Minnesota such a remarkable place. It’s our home, and together we protect our home and each other,” President Rebecca Cunningham and other school leaders said.

“We urge you to remain peaceful while expressing your views in the coming days.”

Spring classes began Tuesday as I.C.E. and other federal law enforcement agencies continue operations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, where the university is located. Protests in the Twin Cities against the Trump administration have taken place for the past several weeks, although they intensified after I.C.E.’s killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Good.

Cunningham said in a social media post a week after her death that Minnesotans were living in a “difficult moment.”

“To our students, their parents, our faculty, staff and alumni: We hear you and we stand with you,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Your voices matter. We are listening, carefully and with respect, and will continue to listen to the concerns of our community,” the president added.

Her messages have been somewhat similar to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's, who encouraged residents after Good's death to protest peacefully and united.

“Let’s show them who we can be. Let’s show up with peace to march, to protest, to hug one another and to love all the way with peace,” Frey said earlier this month.

The mayor has accused the Trump administration of baiting Minnesotans into chaos in an attempt to cast the state as violent. President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees I.C.E., have claimed Minnesota cities need federal law enforcement to address crimes committed by immigrants.

“PEACE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS!” Noem said in a social media post on Monday. “We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals.”

The National News Desk couldn’t confirm her statistics, but Governor Tim Walz has rejected the idea that the state is protecting criminals. He and other officials have pledged to combat crime, regardless of whether it is committed by American citizens or immigrants.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.