MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a show of solidarity, protests against stringent immigration enforcement are planned across cities and towns nationwide this Saturday. This movement comes in the wake of escalating violence, including a federal officer's fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis and another officer involved in shooting two individuals in Portland, Oregon.
The protests are occurring as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security intensifies its immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, which officials have dubbed their biggest effort to date. The Trump administration claims the shootings were acts of self-defense against drivers allegedly using their vehicles as weapons against officers.
Groups such as Indivisible, which formed in resistance to the Trump administration, have organized hundreds of protests in various states including Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Florida, coining the term 'ICE Out for Good' in reference to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In 2020, Indivisible mobilized protests in all 50 states, showcasing their influence and commitment to immigrant rights.
In Minneapolis, several migrant rights organizations are planning a rally at Powderhorn Park, not far from where 37-year-old Renee Good was shot in her neighborhood. The demonstration aims to honor Good's life while denouncing the rampant violence and calling for an end to the 'deadly terror on our streets.'
Recent protests have remained largely peaceful, contrasting sharply with the aftermath of George Floyd's death, which led to widespread unrest in 2020. However, some clashes have been reported between demonstrators and federal agents near government buildings, leading to tensions where protesters hurled ice and snow, but without serious injuries.
Minneapolis police indicated that at least 30 individuals were cited during a recent protest that attracted hundreds of attendees. This reflects ongoing community frustration and resistance to the aggressive immigration strategies rolled out by federal authorities, who have sent thousands of officers to Minnesota amid allegations of fraud targeting Somali residents.
As local and national activists continue to gather momentum, the situation remains fluid with potential for more confrontations as the federal crackdown escalates.
