Woman Aids Escape of Right-Wing Activist from Minneapolis Rally Clash

A Black woman in Minneapolis drove a man away from a group of angry counterprotesters on January 17, 2026, after his small rally near City Hall turned tense. The man was Jake Lang, a right-wing activist known for his role in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. She did not know who he was at the time.

Background

Jake Lang organized a rally called "March Against Minnesota Fraud" in downtown Minneapolis. The event took place in the Cedar-Riverside area, home to many Somali and Muslim families. Lang got a permit for the gathering from city officials. He aimed to bring together conservatives and Christians to protest what he calls election issues and immigration problems.

Lang, 29, from New York, faces heavy criticism for his past. On January 6, 2021, he joined the crowd that stormed the Capitol. Court records show he took a leadership role, using a baseball bat and riot shield to hit police officers. He faced 11 charges, like civil disorder and assaulting officers. He stayed in jail for almost four years without a trial. In January 2025, President Donald Trump pardoned him and about 1,600 others involved that day.

Since getting out, Lang calls himself a political prisoner. He runs a podcast about January 6 and pushes ideas like the 2020 election being stolen. He also spreads claims that George Floyd's death was not murder. Now, he wants to run for U.S. Senate in Florida. His campaign talks about strict immigration rules, banning Islam, and fighting what he sees as government overreach.

Lang has led other marches against Muslim and Somali communities in places like Minneapolis and Dearborn, Michigan. In Dearborn, he yelled at city leaders to deport people and said things like "get out of my country." His visits often stir up fear in immigrant neighborhoods.

The Minneapolis rally drew a small crowd of supporters. But hundreds of counterprotesters showed up, many against immigration raids by federal agents. Tensions rose quickly as the two sides faced off near City Hall.

Key Details

The rally started small. Lang and his group marched with signs about fraud and borders. Counterprotesters, including community patrollers in yellow vests and religious leaders in orange vests, gathered to keep peace. Police from Minneapolis and the sheriff's office watched closely.

Things got loud fast. Protesters shouted down Lang's speakers. His group could not hold the spot. As they tried to leave, the crowd pressed in. Lang later posted on social media that he got stabbed, but no police reports confirm serious injuries.

This is where the woman steps in. Driving by, she saw Lang and a few others cornered. She pulled over and let them into her car. She sped them away from the scene to safety. Witnesses say she acted out of concern for their safety, not knowing their views.

The Rescue and Aftermath

The woman, described by onlookers as Black, did not ask questions. She just wanted to help people in trouble. Lang and his group thanked her and left. Only later did she learn who he was. Friends told her about his January 6 charges, his pardon, and his anti-immigrant marches.

Lang posted video of the escape on his accounts. He praised the woman for saving him from what he called a violent mob. His supporters shared it widely, calling her a hero. But in Cedar-Riverside, reactions split. Some saw her act as kind, others worried it gave Lang more attention.

Community leaders had warned about the rally days before. A group statement said:

"A group of racist and anti-Muslim agitators may be coming to Cedar Riverside on Saturday. Their goal is to create chaos and cause violence in our community."

Police said the event stayed mostly peaceful. No arrests happened for big crimes. But the sheriff noted extra patrols because of the risks.

Lang's personal life adds layers. He is engaged to Rachel Myers, another January 6 participant. She got probation after charges. They call their story a "January 6 love story." They planned a wedding soon after the rally, but details are unclear.

What This Means

The rescue highlights divides in America right now. A simple act of help crossed political lines, but it also spotlights how charged these events are. Lang uses the story to boost his image as a target of left-wing anger. His small rally got huge notice because of the counterprotests.

In Minneapolis, immigrant groups feel on edge. Federal immigration actions have picked up, leading to more raids. Lang's presence ties into that fear. Local patrollers plan to keep watching for more events.

Lang keeps pushing his Senate run. He frames escapes like this as proof of his fight against elites. Supporters see him as brave. Critics say he provokes trouble to stay in the news.

Police expect more protests. Community leaders call for calm but stay ready. The woman's choice to help shows human decency amid conflict. Yet it raises questions about how people react when they learn more about those they aid.

Lang's rally permit was legal, but the location near a sensitive neighborhood fueled backlash. City hall now reviews how such events affect public safety. No changes announced yet.

For Lang, the day ended with more followers online. He vows to return for bigger marches. Cedar-Riverside residents hope for quiet. The clash shows how one person's protest can pull in a city.