Protests in Minneapolis Demand End to ICE Enforcement

On Friday, a large crowd of activists and clergy gathered outside the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis, rallying against federal immigration enforcement. This was part of the “ICE Out of Minnesota: Truth and Freedom Day” event.

Thousands marched from the Commons to the arena, expressing their opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The atmosphere was charged, especially given the recent tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, which had sparked calls for work, school, and shopping boycotts in the area.

Protesters displayed various signs with messages such as “Silence is more dangerous than frostbite” and “Justice for Renee Good.” The air was frigid, with temperatures dipping to -20 degrees, but that didn’t seem to dampen spirits. Chants of “Stand up, fight back!” echoed throughout the streets, emphasizing a collective determination to push back against ICE.

Interestingly, while the demonstration remained peaceful, a security checkpoint with metal detectors was set up at the entrance to the arena, indicating a concern for safety.

Once inside, some protesters appeared less dynamic, trying to keep warm and waiting for speeches in an arena that had a noticeable number of empty seats. Minneapolis City Council Representative Elizabeth Shafer took to social media to commend those in attendance, highlighting the peaceful protest as a significant moment in the community’s effort to demand the removal of ICE from Minnesota.

This is still a developing story, so we’ll continue to monitor the situation for updates.