Thousands protest in Minneapolis over fatal ICE shooting, leaders urge peace

Thousands of people marched through Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, as well as another recent shooting involving federal agents in Portland, Oregon. 

The demonstration was part of hundreds of protests planned across the United States (US) over the weekend.

Minnesota leaders called for calm amid rising anger over the federal immigration crackdown. Mayor Jacob Frey said most protests have been peaceful but warned that anyone damaging property or endangering others would face arrest. He blamed "agitators" for trying to provoke violence and accused President Donald Trump of seeking chaos through large-scale immigration enforcement.

Governor Tim Walz also urged calm, saying the president had deployed thousands of armed federal officers to Minnesota, and that the death of Renee Good occurred on the first day of the operation.

According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, a protest outside a hotel on Friday night turned violent when around 1,000 demonstrators threw ice, snow, and rocks at police, injuring one officer. Police cited and released 29 individuals.

The Department of Homeland Security said the deployment in Minnesota is its largest enforcement operation ever. Federal officials described the recent shootings as acts of self-defense, claiming drivers tried to use their vehicles as weapons.

Protesters expressed frustration with daily harassment in immigrant communities. Connor Maloney, a participant, said, "Almost daily I see them harassing people. It's sickening that it's happening in our community." Similar demonstrations took place in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Florida, according to the social movement group Indivisible.

In Minneapolis, the rally was organized near the neighborhood where Good was killed, while ICE officers continued operations across the city. Journalists reported heavily armed federal agents detaining individuals, leaving some cars unattended, and blocking congressional representatives from inspecting ICE facilities.

State leaders emphasized that protesters must demand accountability while maintaining peaceful actions.