Minneapolis ICE shooting fuels protest in Washington as tensions rise nationwide

Demonstrators gathered outside the White House on Saturday (January 10) to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an immigration officer, an incident that has sparked days of nationwide protests.

The protest, titled “ICE Out for Good,” was organized by the nonprofit group Refuse Fascism.

Protesters expressed outrage over the killing of Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was shot earlier this week in Minneapolis during an encounter with ICE officers. The White House on Friday (January 9) reposted a cellphone video recorded by the officer involved, showing Good appearing calm moments before she was shot as she attempted to drive away.

“She should have her day in court. She should not have been executed,” said demonstrator Parker Fox, adding that recent deportations of U.S. citizens showed the country was moving toward fascism.

Speakers at the Washington protest accused the federal government of overreach and political repression.

Protest organizer Tony G said Good had become a symbol for immigrant rights advocates nationwide. “Her name is going to be remembered,” he said. “She decided that this is not normal and gave up everything to defend immigrants.”

Minnesota authorities said on Friday they were opening a criminal investigation into the shooting, amid reports that federal officials had declined to cooperate fully with state investigators. The officer involved, identified as Jonathan Ross, has not been charged.

Production: Greg Savoy, Jose Pablo Diaz/Reuters