MINNEAPOLIS (PulseWire) — Protests against immigration enforcement are set for cities and towns across the U.S. on Saturday, sparked by the recent fatal shooting of a woman by federal officers in Minneapolis and another incident where two individuals were wounded in Portland, Oregon.
The demonstrations coincide with a major immigration enforcement operation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the Twin Cities, described as the largest of its kind to date. Officials in the Trump administration claim that both shootings were defensive actions against vehicles allegedly used to attack the officers.
Organizers, including the social movement group Indivisible, have planned hundreds of protests across Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Florida. Many rallies will employ the slogan “ICE Out for Good,” advocating for reform of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which is often criticized for its tactics.
In Minneapolis, various migrant rights groups have called for a rally at Powderhorn Park, near where Renee Good, 37, was shot on Wednesday. The event is intended to honor Good's life and advocate for an end to violence on the streets.
Initial protests have remained relatively peaceful, in stark contrast to the violence observed in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd in 2020. There have been minor confrontations between protesters and security personnel at a federal building, although these did not escalate significantly.
Minneapolis police reported that during a recent protest, at least 30 individuals were cited for various offenses. While protesters engaged in confrontations, including throwing ice and rocks, no significant injuries were recorded.
In the wake of allegations regarding immigration fraud among the Somali community, the Trump administration has surged more than 2,000 federal officers to Minnesota as part of the crackdown. Some of these officers were redeployed following operations in Louisiana that ended abruptly.
