Protest held in Jefferson City after woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jefferson City residents silently marched through the city on Saturday after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent killed a Minneapolis woman Wednesday.
Protesters marched past government offices and the Governor's Mansion wearing all black and holding signs with phrases such as "Stop ICE terror" and "ICE keep your [hands] off our citizens." Other signs were more specific to the Minneapolis death of Renee Good, like "We brought whistles. They brought guns."
That sign references a tactic Minneapolis residents used to alert other residents of ICE's presence, according to an article from CNN. Good was shot while in her vehicle when the agent fired at least three shots and killed her.
There are differing opinions on what Good was doing that made the ICE agent shoot her, according to CNN. The Department of Homeland Security says Good was trying to run over the agent, but local officials say she was driving away.
"You can't kill someone because they're fleeing a scene," protester Susan Paige told ABC 17 News. "Whether it's legal or not, it doesn't matter. You don't just shoot them."
Paige said the protest was like a funeral march for Good. Approximately 250 to 300 people attended.
We Stand United Missouri protest organizer Tina Langland said people in her community have been feeling unsafe because of what she called ICE brutality.
"A lot of people are not sure what to do. They see these things happening, and they know it's wrong, and they know it will eventually come to their doorstep," Langland said. "No one's safe. If everyone isn't safe, then no one's safe."
Langland said she wants lawmakers to know people don't support ICE brutality.
"I just need our legislators and leaders in charge to know that the people are not behind these actions by and large, and you have the power to stop it," Langland said.
Susan Thomas said she came out to protest because her neighbors are afraid to leave their house.
"They haven't left their house in, gosh, months. They have their groceries delivered, everything. And they're citizens, but they're still afraid," Thomas said.
The Jefferson City protest follows a candelight vigil in Columbia for Good on Friday. The protest is also a part of the national movement "ICE out for good."
