MINNEAPOLIS — Tens of thousands of people demonstrated Saturday in Minnesota and across the United States to protest federal immigration enforcement after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis earlier this week, authorities and organizers said.The protests followed the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer on Wednesday during an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis, officials and family members confirmed. Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was driving her vehicle when the encounter occurred, officials said.
In Minneapolis, demonstrators braved bitter cold to gather at Powderhorn Park before marching through city streets in an “ICE Out of Minnesota” rally. Minneapolis police estimated “tens of thousands” took part in the march, chanting anti-ICE slogans and calling for accountability in Good’s death.
Protests also took place in cities including Austin, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles, with activists and community members expressing outrage at the shooting and broader federal immigration policies.
Earlier in the weekend, Minneapolis police said about 30 people were arrested during demonstrations, and one officer suffered minor injuries when a piece of ice was thrown at them.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told Reporters that Saturday’s main protest was “peaceful,” even as tensions have mounted in the city since the shooting
Federal and local officials have offered contrasting accounts of the incident that sparked the protests. ICE and Department of Homeland Security officials have characterized Good’s actions as interfering with an enforcement operation, while Minnesota officials and eyewitnesses have questioned that narrative and raised concerns about use of force.
The demonstration in Minneapolis was one of the largest since the fatal shooting, which has also fueled protests and vigils in other parts of the country and calls from activists to reform or abolish ICE.
Further protests and rallies are expected in major U.S. cities on Sunday as organizers seek to sustain pressure on federal immigration authorities.
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