Minneapolis (USA): Tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by a US immigration officer, as more than 1,000 demonstrations were held across the country against the federal government’s deportation drive.
The large turnout in Minneapolis, despite harsh winter winds, reflected growing public anger over the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer earlier this week. The incident has become a flashpoint, sparking protests not only in major cities but also in smaller communities nationwide.
Demonstrators, led by Indigenous Mexican dancers, marched toward the residential street where Good was shot while sitting in her car. Protesters chanted her name and raised slogans calling for the abolition of ICE, with Minneapolis police estimating the crowd in the tens of thousands.
Minnesota’s Democratic leaders have strongly criticised the shooting, calling it unjustified. They have pointed to bystander video that appears to show Good’s vehicle turning away as shots were fired. In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has defended the agent’s actions, claiming he acted in self-defence after Good allegedly drove her vehicle toward officers during the encounter.
The shooting came shortly after DHS deployed around 2,000 federal officers to the Minneapolis–St. Paul region, describing it as its largest operation to date. The move has deepened tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders in Minnesota, who have repeatedly objected to aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
Anger intensified further after a separate incident in Portland, Oregon, where a US Border Patrol agent shot and wounded two people during a traffic stop. DHS said the driver attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon, echoing its explanation in the Minneapolis case.
Civil rights and progressive groups, including Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union, organised the nationwide protests under the banner “ICE Out For Good.” Organisers said events were scheduled to end before nightfall to reduce the risk of violence. Demonstrations were reported in cities such as Philadelphia and New York, where protesters marched past immigration courts and detention facilities.
In Minneapolis, city officials said most protests remained peaceful, though some incidents of vandalism were reported. Police confirmed multiple arrests after crowds gathered outside hotels believed to house ICE agents. Mayor Jacob Frey said authorities would not allow property damage or unlawful behaviour but stressed that the city would avoid escalating tensions.
The protests also spilled into the political arena, with three Minnesota Democratic members of Congress denied entry to an ICE facility during an oversight visit. Lawmakers called the move illegal, while DHS said access was restricted due to safety concerns and procedural requirements.
As demonstrations continue, the killing of Renee Good has emerged as a powerful symbol in the national debate over immigration enforcement, police accountability and the limits of federal authority.
