Protests escalate after immigration officer shootings in Minneapolis and Portland

Protests Erupt Over Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis

Minnesota leaders urged protesters to remain peaceful on Saturday. This call came as people gathered nationwide to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis. Protests also followed the shooting of two protesters in Portland, Oregon.

Violence at Minneapolis Protest

On Friday night, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel drew about 1,000 people. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the protest turned violent. Demonstrators threw ice, snow, and rocks at officers. One officer suffered minor injuries from a piece of ice. O’Hara stated that twenty-nine people were cited and released.

Mayor and Governor’s Statements

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized that most protests have been peaceful. However, he warned that those causing property damage or endangering others would be arrested. He criticized “agitators trying to rile up large crowds.”

Governor Tim Walz echoed the call for peaceful protests. He stated on social media, “Trump sent thousands of armed federal officers into our state, and it took just one day for them to kill someone.” He urged people not to give in to chaos.

Nationwide Protests

Demonstrations occurred in cities across the country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is conducting what it calls its largest immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. The Trump administration claimed both shootings were acts of self-defense against drivers who “weaponized” their vehicles.

Steven Eubanks, 51, attended a protest in Durham, North Carolina, due to the “horrifying” killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Indivisible, a social movement organization, reported hundreds of protests scheduled in various states. Many protests were titled “ICE Out for Good,” referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Local Demonstrations in Minneapolis

A coalition of migrant rights groups organized a demonstration at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. This park is about half a mile from where the 37-year-old Good was shot. The rally aimed to celebrate her life and call for an “end to deadly terror on our streets.”

Protests in the neighborhood have been largely peaceful, unlike the violence seen after George Floyd’s killing in 2020. Some confrontations occurred near the airport between smaller groups of protesters and officers guarding a federal building.

ICE Enforcement Activities

O’Hara noted that city police responded to calls about abandoned cars left by drivers apprehended by immigration enforcement. In one case, a car was left in park, and in another, a dog was left inside a vehicle.

He stated that immigration enforcement activities are happening “all over the city.” 911 callers have reported ICE activity, arrests, and abandoned vehicles.

Congresswomen’s Attempt to Tour ICE Facility

Three congresswomen from Minnesota tried to tour the ICE facility in the Minneapolis federal building on Saturday morning. They were initially allowed to enter but were told to leave about 10 minutes later. U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig accused ICE agents of obstructing their duties.

Craig stated, “They do not care that they are violating federal law.” A federal judge recently blocked the Trump administration from enforcing policies that limit congressional visits to immigration facilities.

Federal Crackdown in Minnesota

The Trump administration has deployed thousands of federal officers to Minnesota as part of a new crackdown. This operation is partly linked to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. More than 2,000 officers are involved. Some officers moved in after leaving Louisiana, where they were part of another operation.