Thousands March in Minneapolis Following Fatal ICE Shooting

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis on March 1, 2025, to voice their outrage over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The incident, which occurred earlier in the week, has sparked more than 1,000 rallies across the United States, highlighting escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and federal deportation efforts.

The rally in Minneapolis, characterized by a spirited crowd braving cold winds, was led by Indigenous Mexican dancers as demonstrators marched towards the location where Good was shot in her vehicle. The Minneapolis Police Department estimated the turnout to be in the tens of thousands, with participants chanting slogans such as “Abolish ICE” and “No justice, no peace – get ICE off our streets.”

Protester Ellison Montgomery, 30, expressed the emotions felt by many, stating, “I’m insanely angry, completely heartbroken and devastated, and then just like longing and hoping that things get better.”

Local officials have condemned the shooting as unjustified, pointing to bystander video that reportedly shows Good’s vehicle turning away from the agent at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, contends that the agent acted in self-defense, claiming Good drove towards him after being instructed to exit her car. Good was a volunteer with a community organization that monitors ICE operations, underlining her involvement in advocacy against immigration enforcement.

Escalating Tensions and Nationwide Protests

The shooting occurred shortly after approximately 2,000 federal officers were deployed to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, an operation described by the DHS as its largest ever. This has intensified the ongoing rift between federal authorities and Minnesota’s Democratic leadership. On the same day as the Minneapolis protests, a separate incident involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Portland, Oregon, added to the unrest. The agent shot and wounded two individuals during an attempted vehicle stop, with DHS asserting that the driver attempted to “weaponize” the vehicle against agents.

In response to the recent violence, progressive and civil rights organizations, including Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union, coordinated the nationwide “ICE Out For Good” events. These rallies were intentionally scheduled to conclude before nightfall in an effort to reduce the potential for conflict.

Demonstrations in other cities mirrored the Minneapolis event. In Philadelphia, protesters chanted “ICE has got to go” as they marched toward a federal detention facility. Meanwhile, in Manhattan, several hundred individuals expressed their discontent with ICE as they passed an immigration court known for detaining migrants.

Local Leaders Respond

Minnesota’s political leaders, including Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey, have spoken out against the shooting and ICE operations. At a press conference, Frey emphasized the largely peaceful nature of the protests, although he warned that any unlawful actions would result in arrests. “We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos,” he stated, referring to the ongoing tensions between the federal administration and local authorities.

In anticipation of potential unrest, over 200 law enforcement officers were deployed to manage the protests, which resulted in approximately $6,000 in damages at a local hotel, with some demonstrators attempting to breach another hotel believed to house ICE agents. Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the assembly at the Hilton Canopy Hotel escalated, leading to 29 arrests.

On the morning of March 1, three Minnesota congressional Democrats, including Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar, attempted to visit a regional ICE headquarters but were denied entry. They deemed this prohibition illegal, citing federal law that allows congressional members access to detention sites. Craig highlighted the importance of oversight, stating, “It is our job as members of Congress to make sure those detained are treated with humanity.”

In response to the congressional leaders’ attempt to visit, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that access was restricted to ensure the safety of detainees and staff, adding that DHS policies require members of Congress to provide prior notification for visits.

As protests continue to unfold across the nation, the events in Minneapolis serve as a stark reminder of the growing dissent surrounding immigration policies and the actions of federal enforcement agencies.