A Somali American woman, who gained internet fame for likening her identity to “bananas and rice,” is among 16 individuals arrested in Minneapolis on charges related to a riot. The arrests come as federal authorities intensify their response to recent confrontations with demonstrators.

Nasra Ahmed, 23, from Minnesota, became widely recognized after a news conference on January 21, where she used the metaphor “bananas and rice” to describe her Somali American heritage. Her comments quickly went viral, capturing attention across social media platforms.

“It’s like bananas and rice,” Ahmed explained. “People don’t typically pair bananas with rice, but that’s what being Somali and American feels like.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that she is in Minneapolis as federal officials increase their enforcement actions following recent disturbances involving federal law enforcement. She revealed the arrest of 16 individuals accused of assaulting or obstructing federal agents.

Nasra Ahmed, aged 23, faces charges for her alleged involvement in an anti-ICE riot in Minneapolis. Previously, she gained viral attention for her creative metaphor linking her Somali American identity to “bananas and rice.”

“I am on the ground in Minneapolis today,” Bondi wrote on X. “Federal agents have arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement — people who have been resisting and impeding our federal law enforcement rights.

“We expect more arrests to come,” Bondi added. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: NOTHING will stop President Trump and this Department of Justice from enforcing the law.”

Bondi also shared the names and images of those charged under a federal law that makes it a crime to assault, resist or impede federal officers while they are performing their official duties.

Those named include Christina Rank, Abdikadir Noor, Madeline Tschida, Nitzana Flores, Helicity Borowska, Quentin Williams, William Vermie, Paul Johnson, Gillian Etherington, Joshua Doyle, Kirubele Adbebe, Margaret Sager, Ilan Wilson-Soler, Ahmed, Alice Valentine and Matrim Charlebois.

Protesters were arrested in Minneapolis after allegedly assaulting federal agents, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi. (Attorney General Pam Bondi/X and Getty Images)

The confrontations have intensified since the fatal shooting of 37-year-old American citizen Alex Pretti, who was killed Jan. 24 by Border Patrol agents during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

The shooting, the second fatal encounter involving federal agents in the city this month, has fueled ongoing protests and heightened tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement.

An ICU nurse, Pretti appeared to be trying to help a woman who agents had knocked to the ground when he was sprayed with an irritant and shoved down, according to video and witness accounts. An agent was later seen removing his lawfully owned gun from his waistband before other agents fired several shots, killing him.

The incident followed unrest earlier this month over the ICE-involved killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.

Justice Department officials have said protecting federal agents has become a priority amid rising confrontations during protests and enforcement actions.