Were 45 girls just rescued in Minneapolis
Executive summary
There is no reporting in the provided sources that 45 girls were "just rescued in Minneapolis"; the documents reviewed focus on anti‑trafficking organizations relocating to Minneapolis, city planning for a Community Safety Center, public awareness campaigns and existing statewide task forces rather than any specific mass rescue event [1] [2] [3] [4]. Because none of the supplied items reports a recent rescue of 45 girls, the claim cannot be confirmed from the material available and remains unverified by these sources [1] [2] [3].
1. What the sources actually report about Our Rescue and local work
Several pieces document that Our Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad) announced a move to Minneapolis and interest in working with city programs and law enforcement; reporting describes the group’s stated plans to train police, deploy technology and partner with local agencies as part of Human Trafficking Prevention Month activities and longer‑term efforts [1] [2] [5]. Local coverage emphasizes the nonprofit’s intention to apply for space and roles in the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and to coordinate with programs such as 180 Degrees and the Blue Campaign, but these accounts describe organizational activity and advocacy rather than any single rescue operation or recent mass extraction of minors [1] [2] [5].
2. City process, controversy and contract updates that matter to interpreting claims
Reporting shows Minneapolis planned to host trafficking services alongside the police at a new Community Safety Center and initiated a process inviting organizations to apply for placement and roles, but that process was reopened after public scrutiny and Our Rescue withdrew or was no longer in contract negotiations amid controversy over the group’s past and reputation [2] [3]. Coverage from the Star Tribune and local outlets highlights city caution and local organizations’ concerns, which frames current debate as institutional and contractual rather than evidentiary of a specific rescue event [2] [3].
3. The factual record on trafficking incidence and official responses in Minnesota
State and city sources stress that human trafficking is hard to quantify, that Minnesota has acknowledged gaps in victim identification and training, and that tips to the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force rose 38% in 2023—points that establish context for heightened awareness and outreach but do not equate to a one‑time rescue count like “45 girls” [1] [4]. Official pages from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the BCA and public health programs outline reporting mechanisms and prevention networks rather than documenting a particular large rescue incident [4] [6] [7].
4. Why a specific headline about “45 girls rescued” needs corroboration
Given the sensitivity and legal implications of mass‑rescue claims, corroboration should come from law enforcement press releases, hospital or social‑services confirmations, or multiple independent news outlets; none of the provided items supply that corroboration and several instead document institutional responses and awareness campaigns [2] [4] [6]. The supplied coverage also shows competing narratives and agendas—advocacy groups and city officials emphasize prevention and services, while critics raise questions about the credibility and history of particular nonprofits—so sensational numerical claims require careful sourcing beyond organizational promotional material [1] [3].
5. Conclusion and recommended next steps for verification
Based on the available reporting, the assertion that “45 girls were just rescued in Minneapolis” is unverified; the sources reviewed do not report such an event and instead focus on organizational moves, city contracting, and statewide prevention efforts [1] [2] [3] [4]. To confirm or refute the claim, seek official statements from Minneapolis police or the Minnesota BCA, coverage from established local or national news organizations, or verified press releases from social‑service agencies that would handle survivors—none of which appear in the provided material [2] [4].