MINNEAPOLIS, January 11 —Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged activists to remain peaceful during protests over a fatal ICE shooting, warning that violence would play into the political strategy of President Donald Trump. The mayor’s plea came after a night of demonstrations and arrests as conflicting official narratives deepened the turmoil surrounding the death of 37-year-old Renee Good.
At least 29 people were arrested overnight as protesters gathered outside a hotel believed to be housing federal immigration agents, Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported. One police officer was injured during the response. The protests, organized by civil liberties and migrant-rights groups, follow the Wednesday shooting of Good, a mother of three, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
What Is Mayor Frey Warning Protesters About?
Mayor Frey, a Democrat who has been critical of both ICE and the shooting, explicitly framed the local response as a strategic counter to President Trump. “We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos. He wants us to take the bait,” Frey said at a Saturday news conference. He stated that while demonstrations have been largely peaceful, anyone causing property damage or engaging in unlawful activity would be arrested. His comments directly tie local protest tactics to the national political conflict, framing restraint as a form of resistance.
Why Are the Official Accounts of the Shooting in Conflict?
Minnesota and U.S. federal officials have provided starkly different accounts of the circumstances leading to Renee Good’s death. Details of the shooting itself remain unclear, but the incident occurred amid an unprecedented federal presence. ICE’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, recently dispatched roughly 2,000 federal officers to Minneapolis, calling it the “largest DHS operation ever.” Tensions between federal agents and local authorities have increased as a result of this large-scale deployment, creating the conditions for the unstable aftermath of Good’s murder.
How Are Police Managing the Ongoing Protests?
According to Police Chief Brian O’Hara, police responded to several protests, including the gathering at a hotel suspected of lodging ICE personnel. The 29 arrests underscore the delicate and potentially explosive law enforcement challenge. With one officer injured and a major federal force stationed in the city, local police are navigating between protecting protest rights, maintaining public order, and operating alongside a controversial federal operation that city leadership has criticized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who was shot, and by whom?
A: On Wednesday, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.
Q: What did Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey say?
A: Frey urged protesters to stay peaceful, warning that unlawful actions would be playing into President Trump’s hands, stating, “He wants us to take the bait.”
Q: Were there arrests made during the protests?
A: Yes. Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported 29 arrests overnight, with one police officer injured during the response.
Q: Why is there a large federal presence in Minneapolis?
A: The Department of Homeland Security recently deployed about 2,000 federal officers to the city, calling it its largest-ever operation.
Q: What are the official accounts of the shooting?
A: Minnesota state officials and U.S. federal officials have provided conflicting narratives about the events leading to the shooting.
