MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Protests against immigration enforcement are set to occur across various cities and towns throughout the United States on Saturday. This mobilization is in response to a tragic incident in Minneapolis where a federal officer fatally shot a woman, and in Portland, Oregon, where another officer shot and wounded two people. These violent encounters have raised significant concern within communities advocating for immigrant rights.
The upcoming protests coincide with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s implementation of what it refers to as its largest immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. The administration of President Donald Trump claims that both shootings were acts of self-defense, asserting that the officers were targeted by drivers who allegedly “weaponized” their vehicles against them.
Indivisible, a prominent social movement organization that emerged to counter the Trump administration's policies, has reported that hundreds of protests are scheduled in states including Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Florida, among others. Many of these demonstrations are categorized under the slogan “ICE Out for Good,” which refers to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Indivisible has previously organized protests in all 50 states, indicating a broad base of resistance against immigration enforcement actions.
In Minneapolis, a coalition of migrant rights groups is organizing a demonstration at Powderhorn Park, situated approximately half a mile from where the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good occurred. The coalition intends to honor Good’s life and advocate for an end to “deadly terror on our streets.” The initial protests held in the vicinity of the incident have remained peaceful, especially in contrast to the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Despite the generally peaceful nature of this week's protests, tensions have flared near the airport, where confrontations transpired between smaller groups of demonstrators and federal agents stationed at the federal building involved in the operation. This illustrates the charged atmosphere surrounding the federal immigration enforcement actions as community members voice their concerns.
The Trump administration has escalated federal presence in Minnesota, deploying thousands of officers as part of a sweeping crackdown linked to allegations of immigration fraud within Somali communities. Reports indicate that over 2,000 federal officers are involved in this operation, which signifies a substantial federal commitment to immigration enforcement in the area.
Moreover, certain federal officers have transitioned to Minnesota after abruptly discontinuing their operations in Louisiana, where they had been involved in a separate immigration enforcement initiative expected to last until February. This strategic shift underscores the federal government’s focus on immigration enforcement in various regions, substantially impacting local communities.
As protests unfold, the community’s response reflects a growing discontent with federal immigration practices and their implications on migrant lives. With many citizens rallying under the banner of immigrant rights, the movement signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse on immigration policy and enforcement in the United States.
