Demonstrations have erupted across the United States following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis. Reality check As we reported on Wednesday, a large-scale immigration enforcement operation went into the field. This episode was part of a larger pattern of increased enforcement actions during the Trump administration. Eyewitness video shows the chilling moment a federal agent opened fire on the female driver of a dark red SUV. George Floyd’s killing has fueled anger and protests of racial injustice in cities across the country.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz released a statement condemning the police shooting. He storied up the narrative of the virtue of peaceful protests while directing that the National Guard was already on standby if needed. Public safety is threatened. He argued that the public safety as claimed by the administration is dangerous and sensationalized operations. Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis made national headlines when he took an unusual and ultimately strong stand against ICE. He challenged the feds’ version of the shooting and called for ICE agents to exit the city.
Protests kept increasing, creating a contagious and thrilling enthusiasm among the organizers. Within days, they called for additional anti-ICE protests in New York City, North Carolina, and twice in Texas. One such protest is happening in Fayetteville, NC on Friday— Join us at 433 Hay Street at 6PM. Social media has spread the word about meetups planned in Houston, Utah and San Diego.
The shooting has focused attention on the training and vetting of the federal agents engaged in immigration enforcement. John Sandweg, the acting director of ICE under Obama, said he was worried about the agents’ preparation. He questioned whether they had been trained well enough to deescalate high-stress scenarios.
This incident comes at a sensitive time for U.S. foreign relations, particularly in regards to Russia. Negotiations for a possible peace agreement in Ukraine continue. The continued militarization of ICE operations only stands to exacerbate these relations.
In the wake of the tragedy, public outcry from long-term residents of Minneapolis has raised concerns about the safety of their community. Now community members are taking to social media to air their grievances. They depict the specter of immigration enforcement in their communities as a monstrous force.
“Long-term Minneapolis residents that have contributed so greatly to the city, to the culture, to the economy are being terrorized, and now, somebody is dead.” – [source: The Guardian]
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson called on state authorities to investigate the state’s shooting. They will be in it together with their federal partners in this endeavor. Governor Walz even repeated this public safety concern in his comments to the press.
“We’ve been warning for weeks that the Trump administration’s dangerous, sensationalized operations are a threat to our public safety, that someone was going to get hurt.” – [Tim Walz]
Governor Walz’s push for calm in the face of growing unrest shows his willingness to protect peaceful protests. In his statement, he recognized the frustration of so many in the community and stood with the protesters.
“I feel your anger, I’m angry.” – [Tim Walz]
Mayor Frey was instrumental in forcing ICE out of Minneapolis, and we’re grateful for his leadership. He’d maintained their presence did the opposite. His passionate plea represented what I heard was the prevailing emotion shared by residents who now live under the constant threat of federal enforcement.
“To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety and you are doing exactly the opposite. People are being hurt.” – [Jacob Frey, the city’s mayor]
Protesters have increasingly adopted the chant, “Hey hey, ho ho, ICE is in the neighborhood,” to signal their embrace of immigrants and their fight against ICE’s actions.
“Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here.” – [source: The Guardian]
As protests unfold across various cities, organizers continue to advocate for immigrant rights and call for accountability regarding ICE’s actions. The broad, grassroots Tea Party movement is indicative of a long-brewing anger with the direction of immigration policy and its effect on municipalities.