Protests broke out in Minneapolis on Thursday after a woman was shot dead by an ICE agent a day earlier. The demonstrations quickly turned tense as protestors clashed with law enforcement officers.
The protests were held outside a federal building in Saint Paul that is linked to immigration enforcement operations. During the clashes, at least 1 protestor was detained, according to reports.
Federal agents were seen carrying pepperball guns and tear gas. Smoke grenades were also fired to push back the crowd. Some protestors held signs. One sign read ICE equals murder.
The protests were sparked by the killing of 37 year old Renee Nicole Macklin Good. She was shot in the head by an unidentified ICE agent during an encounter on Wednesday. The incident has caused widespread anger across the city.
After the shooting, state and local leaders demanded that ICE leave Minnesota. However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE agents would not withdraw from the state.
Many protestors gathered around the federal building and shouted slogans against ICE. Chants included No More ICE, Go Home Nazis, and Quit Your Job. Protestors said they were angry and heartbroken over what they see as government violence against its own people.
One protestor said people should be horrified by what happened. She said the government is waging war on its own citizens and that speaking out is the only option left.
Federal officials have claimed the shooting was an act of self defense. The mayor of Minneapolis strongly disagreed. He called the shooting unnecessary and reckless.
Renee Nicole Macklin Good was the mother of a 6 year old child. A video shared online shows her wife sitting near the vehicle and crying uncontrollably after the shooting.
As videos and eyewitness accounts continue to spread, Minneapolis remains on edge. Calls for justice and accountability are growing louder with each passing day.
