Activists in Austin have organized protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. The demonstration, led by the Austin chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, took place outside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security building in Pflugerville and was part of a nationwide outcry against the killing.
Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot while attempting to flee from ICE officers who had ordered her to exit her vehicle. As protesters gathered, chants of “shame” and “ICE out of Texas” echoed through the streets, reflecting the anger and frustration felt by many regarding the incident.
Scarleth Lopez, a representative from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, expressed her outrage at the situation, describing the videos of the shooting as “sickening.” She vehemently criticized former President Trump’s characterization of Good as a terrorist, asserting that she was merely an innocent bystander. “We must organize to stop these people from kidnapping and murdering,” Lopez declared.
Elizabeth Bope, a retired teacher, joined the protest after seeing statements from federal and state officials suggesting that Good had attempted to strike an ICE agent with her vehicle. These claims were echoed by figures such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Bope remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s beyond really any words that they killed this woman for no reason, but also that they’re lying about it.” She identified herself as a regular Democrat, emphasizing that the issue transcends political affiliations.
Other notable Texas leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, have remained silent regarding the shooting. Doug Tickner, an Austin home builder, also participated in the protest, stressing the importance of recognizing that such incidents are not isolated events. “This is part of a pattern, and I feel folks better wake up and realize that this is becoming more and more serious,” he remarked.
News of another incident involving federal immigration officers, where two individuals were shot and wounded in Portland, Oregon, emerged shortly before the protest. The Pflugerville demonstration is just one of four anti-ICE actions planned in the Austin area over the coming days. Earlier protests occurred at the intersection of 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard, with additional events scheduled at the Capitol and City Hall.
Amidst the protests, state and federal officials are currently clashing over who will conduct the investigation into Good’s shooting. Initially, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was set to collaborate with the FBI on the investigation, but it was later informed that federal authorities would lead the inquiry on their own.
