The killing of a woman by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis reverberated across the region Thursday night as residents came out to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and memorialize the shooting victim, Renee Good.
In Waltham, about 500 people gathered downtown, many holding candles and waving signs condemning ICE.
“ICE has been a lawless thuggery that has impacted our communities in Massachusetts and beyond. We need enough popular pressure to push back on that to let them know that they cannot get away with that,” said Peter Gast, an Arlington resident who stood with others alongside Main Street as passing cars honked in solidarity.
Further along the roadside, four teachers from a local elementary school clustered holding candles and protest signs saying “We stand with Minneapolis.”
Hilary Sugg said many of the students’ families have been affected by ICE.
“It’s a presence in the community that we feel at school and this recent killing by an ICE officer just feels like it’s completely unacceptable and important to be here to show that we support these communities and support people who are defending their neighbors,” Sugg said.
Jamie from Newton, who gave only her first name, said she was astounded to see video that appeared to show the ICE officer who shot Good get in his car and drive away unimpeded. She recently returned from a trip to Amsterdam where a visit to the Anne Frank House made vivid the actions of Nazi Germany. She said she saw a parallel in Good’s killing.
“I’m feeling anger, I’m feeling a little outrage and shock. It’s just disgusting and this is not America,” she said.
In Boston, roughly 200 people gathered near the Massachusetts State House for a second day of anti-ICE protests.
Protestors chanted and held signs, criticizing ICE and expressing anger about the shooting in Minnesota.
Arlington resident Janet Gottler said her parents, who grew up under fascism during World War II, always told her to stand up for others and to never be complicit.
“I was absolutely horrified and grief stricken to see what happened in Minneapolis, to see how out of control ICE is in our cities across the country, to see them attack American citizens and immigrants,” said Gottler as she stood with other protestors holding a candle.
Boston resident Bob Lydon said the shooting compelled him to participate in his first protest.
“When the government is killing people in the street something has to happen,” said Lydon. “It’s just really important that the whole country comes out and shows that we’re not going to accept this.”
Lexington resident David Holcman said people across the country need to protest to push for change.
“We’ve got to be visible,” said Holcman as he stood in a row of protestors near Boston Common.
“The more visibility we have, the more people are going to come with us and demonstrate and then vote.”
