Protests held across the country this weekend showed the sharp divide in opinion over a shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minnesota.
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Demonstrations on Pittsburgh’s South Side ended Sunday afternoon after hundreds gathered to protest ICE.
Organizers say the protest was sparked by the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot Wednesday in Minneapolis by an ICE agent during a federal immigration enforcement operation.
Sunday’s rally, called the “ICE Out for Good” protest, was one of hundreds held nationwide.
Demonstrators marched through city streets, holding signs critical of ICE and calling for greater accountability from federal officials.
“I’m just really sad about the whole situation,” said Anna Haughwout of McKeesport. “It’s tragic for the poor woman who was killed, and it’s tragic for the officer that killed her.”
Paul Johnson of Lawrenceville said demonstrators were focused on protecting civil rights. “They were only trying to make sure the people they love and care for had their civil rights protected,” he said.
Groups including Indivisible Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Women for Democracy called on the Trump administration to act following the shooting.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials say the ICE officer acted in self-defense after being struck by Good’s vehicle.
“This officer was hit by her vehicle,” Noem said in an interview with CNN. “She weaponized it, and he defended his life and those colleagues around him and the public.”
Federal officials say the shooting remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.
Protesters also reacted to comments from Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, who recently confirmed the city will not cooperate with ICE.
It’s unclear what that will look like beyond what’s required by law.
Demonstrators say the mayor’s position is reassuring.
“It should be a basic policy statement of all mayors,” Johnson said.
O’Connor’s predecessor, former Mayor Ed Gainey, held a similar stance on the presence of ICE in Pittsburgh during his tenure.
Demonstrators also gathered in Greensburg, at the Westmoreland County Courthouse.
“At this point, we are all very worried that the federal government is murdering essentially protesters in the streets,” protester Abigail Graham-Pardus said.
Another demonstration drew people to the Washington County Courthouse in Washington.
“We’re here for justice for Renee Good, who was trying to drive away in her car,” protester Sharon Laffey said. “She was driving away, and no police officer should shoot somebody three times when they’re trying to drive away.”
Uniontown’s George Marshall Plaza saw a rally on Saturday.
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