A vigil is scheduled for tonight at 18:00 outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Field office in Hartford, Connecticut, in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. Good, a U.S. citizen with no prior criminal charges, was shot by immigration officials in Minneapolis on March 13, 2024. Advocates and community members are gathering to honor her memory and demand accountability.
According to officials from the Department of Homeland Security, officers shot Good after claiming they “feared for their lives,” stating she attempted to run them over with her Honda Pilot. Footage from the incident shows an officer firing two shots into the vehicle while holding onto the door handle, although it remains unclear if the SUV made contact with the officer.
Community Reaction and Official Statements
The shooting has drawn significant condemnation from Minnesota officials, who characterized Good’s death as avoidable. They assert that evidence from the video footage indicates the shooting was not justified as self-defense. The Associated Press reported these sentiments, further fueling public outrage.
Protests have erupted across the nation, including gatherings in major cities like New York. Tonight’s vigil in Hartford, located at 450 Main St., is expected to feature speakers from various organizations, including the CT Civil Liberties Defense Committee, ACLU CT, and Indivisible CT, among others. Labor leaders, clergy, and members of the migrant community will share their experiences and advocate for an end to ICE operations.
Organizers emphasized the importance of solidarity in their release, stating, “Along with people all over the country, we will not be silent or hide in the face of ICE’s horrendous attacks. In Hartford, activists, workers, and students are standing together to demand ‘Stop ICE terror from Connecticut to Minneapolis!’”
Upcoming Protests and Calls for Action
In addition to the vigil, a group known as Dare to Struggle is planning a protest at the same location tomorrow at 15:00. This group is calling for the public release of the name of the agent involved in the shooting and is demanding that he face murder charges.
The events surrounding Good’s death have sparked a nationwide conversation about the actions of immigration enforcement agencies. As communities rally together, the collective call for accountability and reform continues to grow stronger.
