Nationwide Protests Erupt Over ICE Shooting in Minnesota
The streets across the United States were filled with demonstrators over the weekend, following a tragic incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest was sparked by the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
A large bird puppet crafted at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre in Minneapolis is carried down Lake Street during a march demanding ICE’s removal from Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
Ben Hovland/MPR News
The protest, part of the “ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action,” was organized by Indivisible, a grassroots coalition advocating for immigration reform. Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, remarked that the demonstrations were a way to “grieve, honor those we’ve lost, and demand accountability from a system that has operated with impunity for far too long.” She emphasized that “Renee Nicole Good was a wife, a mother of three, and a member of her community.”
In Minneapolis, protestors voiced their opposition with signs and chants of “ICE out now!” The tension was palpable as Cameron Kritikos, a local resident, expressed concerns over the potential for increased violence if more ICE officers were deployed. “I’m nervous that there are going to be more clashes with law enforcement officials,” he shared.
Demonstrators in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR
Friday night saw approximately 1,000 participants at a “noise protest” in downtown Minneapolis. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that 29 individuals were arrested after some protestors broke away and caused property damage. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the violence but praised the majority who protested peacefully, stating, “We are standing up to Donald Trump’s chaos not with our own brand of chaos, but with care and unity.”
Elsewhere, peaceful protests occurred in Philadelphia and Portland. In Philadelphia, around 500 demonstrators marched cooperatively, as confirmed by a police spokesperson. In Portland, protestors gathered outside a hospital frequented by ICE for detainee care.
Good’s death followed the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement of a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, involving the deployment of 2,000 officers. The incident has further fueled debates over immigration enforcement practices.
Amidst the protests, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the distinction between protected speech and unlawful behavior, stating, “DHS is taking measures to uphold the rule of law and protect public safety and our officers.” For more details, visit NPR’s coverage.
