Tens of Thousands Protest in Minneapolis Following ICE Shooting

Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Minneapolis on January 10, 2026, to protest the fatal shooting of 37-year-old **Renee Good** by an **Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)** officer. This incident has triggered a series of over 1,000 rallies planned across the United States, reflecting widespread discontent with the federal government’s immigration enforcement policies. The turnout in Minneapolis, despite harsh weather conditions, highlights the emotional impact of Good’s death and the growing urgency of the protests.

Led by a group of Indigenous Mexican dancers, protesters marched towards the site where Good was shot while sitting in her vehicle. The **Minneapolis Police Department** estimated the crowd in the tens of thousands, as they chanted slogans like “Abolish ICE” and “No justice, no peace — get ICE off our streets.” Many attendees shared their grief and anger over the incident, with protester **Ellison Montgomery** expressing feelings of heartbreak and hope for change.

The circumstances surrounding Good’s death remain contentious. Minnesota officials have characterized the shooting as unjustified, citing bystander video that allegedly shows Good’s vehicle moving away from the agent when the shots were fired. Conversely, the **Department of Homeland Security (DHS)** has defended the officer’s actions, claiming that Good advanced her vehicle toward the agent after being instructed to exit the car. This incident coincided with a significant federal operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, during which approximately 2,000 federal officers were deployed, further straining relations between state leaders and the Trump administration.

National Outcry and Further Incidents

As protests unfolded in Minneapolis, similar demonstrations erupted in cities like Philadelphia and Manhattan. In Philadelphia, attendees chanted “ICE has got to go” as they marched towards a federal detention facility, while in Manhattan, demonstrators carried signs condemning ICE’s actions outside an immigration court. **Leah Greenberg**, co-executive director of **Indivisible**, stated, “We demand justice for Renee, ICE out of our communities, and action from our elected leaders. Enough is enough.”

Tensions escalated further following another incident involving federal agents. On the same day of the Minneapolis protests, a **U.S. Border Patrol** agent in **Portland, Oregon**, shot and wounded two individuals in a vehicle after an attempted stop. DHS described the event similarly to Good’s shooting, claiming that the driver attempted to “weaponize” the vehicle against agents. These events have spurred a coalition of progressive and civil rights groups, including the **American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)**, to organize the “ICE Out For Good” rallies.

In response to the protests, **Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey** emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations, warning that any unlawful behavior would lead to arrests. He stated, “We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos. He wants us to take the bait.”

Law enforcement was prepared for potential unrest, deploying over 200 officers to manage the crowds. Reports indicated that some protesters caused property damage, leading to approximately **$6,000** worth of destruction at the **Depot Renaissance Hotel**. Police Chief **Brian O’Hara** noted that the situation escalated, resulting in 29 arrests as demonstrators attempted to gather at a hotel believed to house ICE agents.

Political Response and Congressional Action

Amid the protests, three Democratic members of Congress, including **U.S. Representative Angie Craig**, attempted to visit an ICE headquarters near Minneapolis but were denied entry. They argued that this action violated federal law, which prohibits DHS from obstructing congressional oversight visits to detention sites. Craig stated, “It is our job as members of Congress to make sure those detained are treated with humanity, because we are the damn United States of America.”

The protests and the tragic shooting of Renee Good have become a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. Minnesota, particularly, has been a battleground for these issues, with the Trump administration facing criticism from local leaders over its aggressive deportation strategies. As the rallies continue, the calls for justice and systemic change resonate across communities, reflecting a growing movement against federal immigration enforcement.