UPDATE: Tensions are running high in Minneapolis as local clergy demand immediate action following a tragic shooting involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent that left 37-year-old Renee Good dead on January 7, 2023. The incident occurred at the intersection of Portland Avenue and 34th Street, igniting outrage among residents and community leaders.
The clergy gathered at the scene on Thursday afternoon, January 8, calling for justice and accountability. With megaphones in hand, messages echoed through the neighborhood: “arrest the shooter” and “ICE out of our neighborhood.” The community is mobilizing, and Portland Avenue was closed from 33rd to 34th Street to accommodate the crowd.
The Rev. JaNaé Bates Imari, co-executive director of ISAIAH MN, led the rally alongside other faith leaders from various denominations. They voiced three urgent demands: to arrest, charge, and prosecute the ICE agents responsible for Good’s death, to remove ICE from Minnesota, and to urge Minnesota’s congressional leaders to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable.
The neighborhood, home to a significant Somali population, has been deeply affected. Residents expressed their grief and anger, highlighting that Good died while protecting her neighbors. Saleban Duale, a local resident, emphasized the community’s solidarity: “That’s what this is really about, protecting neighbors.”
Duale further criticized the presence of ICE, stating, “ICE was sent here to antagonize, bully, and demonize the Somali people living here.” His words resonate with many in the community who feel targeted and unsafe.
As the situation unfolds, local leaders are urging for peace and unity, yet the call for justice remains at the forefront. The community’s emotional response underscores the urgent need for systemic change regarding immigration enforcement in Minnesota and beyond.
WHAT’S NEXT: The clergy’s demands have put pressure on local and federal authorities to act decisively. Community members are expected to continue organizing protests until their calls for justice are heard. The implications of this incident extend beyond Minneapolis, as activists nationwide are watching closely, advocating for the rights of immigrants and demanding accountability from federal agents.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
