Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Minneapolis on Saturday night in another wave of protests following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent earlier this week.
The demonstrations, held under bitterly cold conditions, formed part of a growing nationwide movement against immigration enforcement. Similar protests were reported in Austin, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles, with further rallies expected in major US cities on Sunday.
Minneapolis police estimated that “tens of thousands” attended the “ICE Out of Minnesota” rally and march, which began in Powderhorn Park. Mayor Jacob Frey described Saturday’s demonstration as peaceful.
However, tensions flared on Friday night when police declared an unlawful assembly after several hundred protesters gathered outside the Canopy Hotel, where ICE agents were believed to be staying. According to the Minneapolis Police Department, some individuals forced entry into the building through an alley entrance. Videos circulating online showed protesters shining bright lights, blowing whistles and banging drums.
Police said objects including ice, snow and rocks were thrown at officers, vehicles and property. One officer sustained minor injuries but did not require medical treatment. Another hotel in the city was also damaged, with broken windows and graffiti reported. Around 30 people were arrested over the weekend, although those detained on Friday night were later released, Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed.
The protests were sparked by the shooting of Good on Wednesday. Video footage shows ICE agents approaching her SUV in the middle of a street and ordering her to exit the vehicle. As the car attempted to move away, one agent fired several shots. The vehicle then continued down the road before crashing. Good later died from her injuries.
The Trump administration maintains that the agent, identified as veteran officer Jonathan Ross, acted in self-defence. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday described Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism”, claiming she had “weaponised” her vehicle against agents. Mayor Frey strongly rejected the claim, telling CNN that Good was not a terrorist and was likely attempting to escape the scene.
Good’s wife told local media the couple had gone to the area to support neighbours affected by immigration enforcement activity.
The shooting has triggered sharp political divisions. Minnesota officials announced on Friday that the state would open its own inquiry after being excluded from the federal investigation. The FBI is leading the probe.
Meanwhile, three Minnesota Democratic congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig said they were blocked from inspecting an ICE facility in Minneapolis on Saturday. They accused ICE and the Department of Homeland Security of obstructing congressional oversight.
“They do not care that they are violating federal law,” Craig said, while Omar posted on X that “the public deserves to know what is taking place in ICE facilities.”
A newly revealed DHS policy now requires members of Congress to provide seven days’ notice before visiting ICE facilities. The policy was submitted in federal court on Saturday, according to CBS News.
As the controversy deepens, Minneapolis officials say local law enforcement has been overwhelmed by the scale of ICE operations and public anger, with Police Chief O’Hara confirming his department receives dozens of calls daily related to the agency’s activities.