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Thousands gathered in Minneapolis Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, part of a wave of demonstrations planned across the United States this weekend.
The protest comes amid heightened tensions following the Wednesday killing of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and a separate shooting of two people in Portland, Oregon. Both incidents have intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement operations.
“We’re all living in fear right now,” said Meghan Moore, a Minneapolis mother of two who joined the protest. “ICE is creating an environment where nobody feels safe and that’s unacceptable.”
The demonstration followed a Friday night protest outside a Minneapolis hotel that drew approximately 1,000 people. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that some protesters threw ice, snow, and rocks at officers, resulting in minor injuries to one officer and 29 citations.
Local and state officials have urged protesters to remain peaceful while acknowledging the community’s concerns. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey warned against falling for what he characterized as provocations, stating: “This is what Donald Trump wants. He wants us to take the bait.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz echoed these sentiments on social media, writing: “Trump sent thousands of armed federal officers into our state, and it took just one day for them to kill someone. Now he wants nothing more than to see chaos distract from that horrific action. Don’t give him what he wants.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has described its Twin Cities operation as its largest immigration enforcement action ever. According to the Trump administration, both the Minneapolis and Portland shootings occurred in self-defense against drivers who allegedly “weaponized” their vehicles against officers.
Demonstrators braved subfreezing temperatures and light snow, carrying handmade signs with messages like “De-ICE Minnesota!” and “ICE melts in Minnesota.” They marched through a culturally diverse neighborhood adorned with colorful murals celebrating various nationalities.
Connor Maloney, a protest participant, expressed frustration with the immigration crackdown: “Almost daily I see them harassing people. It’s just sickening that it’s happening in our community around us.”
The demonstrations extend far beyond Minneapolis. Indivisible, a social movement organization formed to resist Trump administration policies, reported hundreds of protests scheduled across Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Florida, and other states. In Durham, North Carolina, protester Steven Eubanks, 51, said he felt compelled to attend because of the “horrifying” killing in Minneapolis. “We can’t allow it,” Eubanks said. “We have to stand up.”
Despite the large demonstration, federal immigration operations continued elsewhere in the city. An Associated Press photographer witnessed heavily armed officers, including at least one in Border Patrol uniform, warning a person who had been following them to stop, describing it as their “first and final warning.” In nearby Richfield, federal agents with covered faces detained a man outside a home improvement store while warning journalists to keep their distance.
Chief O’Hara noted that city police have responded to calls about abandoned cars whose drivers were apprehended by immigration enforcement. In one instance, a vehicle was left in park, and in another case, a dog remained inside an abandoned car. He confirmed immigration enforcement activities are occurring “all over the city,” with 911 callers alerting authorities to ICE activity, arrests, and abandoned vehicles.
The Trump administration has deployed over 2,000 federal officers to Minnesota in a sweeping crackdown tied partly to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
The situation has also drawn Congressional attention. Three Minnesota congresswomen—Representatives Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig—attempted to tour the ICE facility in the Minneapolis federal building but reported being forced to leave after about 10 minutes. They accused ICE agents of obstructing members of Congress from fulfilling their oversight duties.
Their experience comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration last month from enforcing policies limiting congressional visits to immigration facilities, following a lawsuit filed by 12 members of Congress who challenged ICE’s visitor policies after being denied entry to detention facilities.
Unlike the widespread unrest that followed George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis in 2020, protests in the neighborhood where Good was shot have remained largely peaceful, with minimal law enforcement presence.
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5 Comments
This is a complex and politically-charged situation. I appreciate the calls for peaceful protest, but it’s clear there are deep-seated issues that need to be addressed. I hope the authorities and community leaders can find constructive ways to move forward and rebuild trust.
These shootings raise serious questions about the use of force by ICE and other law enforcement agencies. I’m glad to see local officials calling for calm and restraint on all sides. Hopefully an impartial investigation can shed light on what happened and lead to much-needed reforms.
The fear and anger in the community is understandable given the high tensions around immigration enforcement. However, escalating to violence is only going to make the situation worse. I hope the protesters can express their concerns through lawful, non-violent channels to drive positive change.
This is a concerning situation. While the right to protest is important, violence and attacks on law enforcement are never acceptable. I hope the authorities and community leaders can work together to address the underlying issues and find a peaceful resolution.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific circumstances surrounding these shootings. While the protesters’ frustrations are valid, it’s important that any investigations are thorough and impartial. Maintaining public safety while also addressing systemic issues is a delicate balance.