Minneapolis witnessed heightened tensions on Saturday as demonstrators assembled near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building to commemorate the one-month anniversary of Renee Good's death, a Minnesota resident fatally shot by an immigration officer on January 7. The protest escalated as some individuals hurled objects, including bottles and sex toys, at a police line securing the federal property.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office reported that arrests commenced after participants began throwing chunks of ice, leading to property damage. In the confrontation, one deputy was struck in the head, and a police squad vehicle sustained a shattered windshield. Police subsequently declared the assembly unlawful and instructed the crowd to disperse.
While many protesters complied, approximately 100 remained, prompting a standoff with deputies, state troopers, and conservation officers. The sheriff's office confirmed to local media that at least 42 individuals were taken into custody. Efforts by The Associated Press to contact the sheriff's office for comment went unanswered.
Simultaneously, several hundred people gathered on a snow-covered Minneapolis park field to pay tribute to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, another Minneapolis resident who died during an encounter with immigration authorities weeks later. Organizers of this solemn event voiced criticism of the immigration enforcement measures in Minnesota, describing the federal presence as an occupation. Lakota spiritual leader Chief Arvol Looking Horse conducted a ceremonial ritual, amid attendees holding signs and American flags. The gathering included musical and poetic tributes honoring Good and Pretti, individuals central to recent debates over immigration policies.
Details surrounding Renee Good’s death indicate that immigration officers approached her vehicle near her home on a snowy street. Bystander footage shows an officer demanding entry into Good's Honda Pilot SUV, which was stationary in the street. When the vehicle began to move, a different immigration agent discharged his weapon at close range. The federal government characterized Good as a domestic terrorist attempting to run over the officer, a depiction that local and state officials have disputed.
Alex Pretti was fatally shot on January 24 after a confrontation with immigration officers on the street. Video evidence depicts several officers subduing Pretti, during which a licensed firearm was identified. Two officers responded by firing shots. These fatalities have amplified public outcry amid President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
In response to mounting local cooperation, the federal administration announced plans to withdraw approximately 700 immigration officers from Minnesota, constituting about a quarter of the deployed personnel. The timeline for concluding enforcement activities in the state remains unspecified.
Becca Good, Renee Good’s spouse, released a statement noting the broader impact of immigration enforcement on Minneapolis residents, emphasizing the harm inflicted on unnamed individuals and families. She underscored the necessity of recognizing all affected persons to prevent further tragedies, highlighting the human cost beyond publicized cases.