Nationwide protests are scheduled as a response to recent actions taken by U.S. immigration enforcement. Demonstrators plan to gather across various cities on Saturday, following two significant incidents involving federal officers in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon.
Nationwide Protests Against ICE
These demonstrations are spurred by the shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE officer and another incident where two individuals were shot in Portland. The timing coincides with a significant immigration enforcement operation underway in the Twin Cities, claimed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to be its largest to date.
Details of the Incidents
- Minneapolis Shooting: The incident involved 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot in a residential area.
- Portland Shootings: Two people were injured during the engagement with federal officers.
The Trump administration characterized both shootings as defensive actions against drivers accused of using their vehicles as weapons against officers.
Organized Protests Across the Country
Indivisible, a grassroots movement focused on resisting immigration enforcement, has organized numerous protests across multiple states. The main theme, “ICE Out for Good,” reflects a demand for the disbandment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- States with planned protests include:
- Texas
- Kansas
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Florida
Last year, Indivisible and its chapters hosted protests in all 50 states. On the morning of the protests, one was reported in Philadelphia, where demonstrators aimed to march to a federal detention center.
Peaceful and Turbulent Protests
In Minneapolis, demonstrations are being organized by a coalition of migrant rights groups at Powderhorn Park, near the site of Good’s shooting. These protests are intended to honor her life and advocate for an end to violence on city streets. Unlike previous protests in the area, which became violent after the death of George Floyd in 2020, initial gatherings in this instance have remained peaceful.
Despite the peaceful spirit of many protests, tensions escalated at times. Police noted that confrontations occurred near the airport, with some protesters cited for throwing projectiles at law enforcement. However, no severe injuries were reported during these occurrences.
Ongoing Enforcement Actions
The Trump administration has deployed thousands of federal officers to Minnesota as part of a broader crackdown on suspected fraud, particularly among Somali communities. More than 2,000 officers are involved in the current operations. Some of these officers were reassigned from Louisiana, where they had been part of a different operation.
As protests unfold nationwide, the situation remains closely monitored, with many advocating for changes to current immigration policies and practices.
