The demonstration was sparked by the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed Wednesday morning by an ICE officer during an operation in Minnesota.
HOUSTON — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Thursday night in Houston’s Galleria area to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – chanting, banging drums and holding signs as they marched.
The protest was sparked by the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot and killed Wednesday morning by an ICE officer during an operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“ICE is terrorizing communities. It’s taken lives,” Houston resident Willie Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said Good’s death motivated him to join the demonstration.
“We’re here to show that unity and that solidarity for the young lady who lost her life to ICE,” Rodriguez said.
Protesters marched down Post Oak Boulevard to amplify their message while Houston police monitored the demonstration on foot and on horseback.
The Houston branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized the demonstration, calling it necessary following the shooting in Minneapolis.
“We’re not happy to be out here. We don’t want to be out here right now. We don’t want federal agents to murder U.S. citizens, but this is where we’re at right now in our country, so we feel the need to be out here. We are angry, but we are also hopeful that her killer will be held accountable,” Caleb Kurowski, with the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Houston branch, said.
The Houston protest was one of several demonstrations held across the country in the wake of the shooting. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has described the shooting as an act of self-defense, but protesters across the country – including in Houston – strongly disagree with that.
“Uncalled for, lawless. There’s no need for that show of force. It’s just despicable,” Houston resident Mauri Bird Lucas said.
The FBI is investigating the shooting in Minneapolis. Minnesota officials said the FBI is blocking state investigators from participating in the probe.
Demonstrators in Houston said they hope others will continue speaking out against what they call “ICE terror.”
The march ended shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Houston police were on scene to ensure public safety, and there were no reports of any arrests.
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