Police officers in Minneapolis made multiple arrests on Saturday outside a federal building, dispersing a demonstration held on the one-month anniversary of a local woman's death during an encounter with immigration authorities. The protest, which drew scores of participants, escalated as some individuals threw objects including bottles and sex toys at law enforcement personnel guarding the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building.
Details of the Arrests and Protest
According to reports from the Minnesota Star Tribune, the arrests occurred after protesters began hurling chunks of ice at police lines. A deputy sustained a head injury, and a squad vehicle's windshield was smashed during the altercation. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office issued a statement declaring the gathering unlawful and ordering participants to leave the premises.
While many protesters complied with the dispersal order, approximately 100 individuals remained in a standoff with deputies, state troopers, and state conservation officers. The sheriff's office did not respond to requests from The Associated Press for further details on the number of arrests, any additional injuries, or the specific circumstances leading to the detentions.
Background on Renee Good's Death
The protest was organized to commemorate Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer on January 7. The incident occurred as Good was driving away from officers in a Minneapolis neighborhood. Bystander video footage shows an officer approaching her Honda Pilot SUV, demanding she open the door, and grabbing the handle before the vehicle began to move forward.
A different Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer standing in front of the vehicle then drew his weapon and fired at close range. The Trump administration has characterized Good as a domestic terrorist who attempted to run over an officer, but state and local officials have disputed this portrayal.
Nationwide Outrage and Additional Incident
Good's death, along with the killing of another Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti, just weeks later on January 24, has fueled widespread anger over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Pretti was shot during a scuffle with immigration officers after they spotted his legally carried gun.
In response to the growing tensions, Tom Homan, the Trump administration's border czar, announced on Wednesday that 700 immigration officers would be withdrawn from Minnesota—approximately a quarter of those deployed in the state. This move followed agreements by state and local officials to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, though Homan did not specify when the crackdown would end.
Community Response and Memorial Events
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered on a snow-covered field in a Minneapolis park on Saturday to honor Good and Pretti. Event organizers criticized the immigration enforcement efforts, describing them as a federal occupation of Minnesota.
The memorial featured a ceremony led by Lakota spiritual leader Chief Arvol Looking Horse, with attendees holding signs and American flags. Music and poetry were shared to commemorate the two individuals, who have become central figures in the polarized national debate on immigration.
Statement from Renee Good's Wife
Becca Good, Renee Good's wife, issued a statement on Saturday emphasizing the broader impact of the immigration crackdown. She highlighted that while her wife and Alex Pretti are known, many others in Minneapolis are suffering anonymously.
"You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know—their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine," Becca Good said. "They are neighbors, friends, co-workers, classmates. And we must also know their names. Because this shouldn’t happen to anyone."
The events in Minneapolis underscore the ongoing national controversy surrounding immigration policies and enforcement actions, with community activists continuing to call for accountability and change.
