Miami protesters condemn ICE agent’s killing of mother in Minneapolis
More than a dozen protesters gathered at Miami’s Torch of Friendship on Wednesday night to furiously decry an ICE agent killing a 37-year-old mother earlier in the day.
“I’m out here today because as an American, I’ve very angry,” Peach Martine, 23, said. “I’m watching my country descend into something I don’t recognize.”
The protest was quickly organized hours after an ICE agent in Minneapolis fatally shot Renee Nicole Good. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported she was killed during a confrontation between federal agents and protesters. Good was a mother of a 6-year-old.
A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman said officers “were conducting targeted operations” when community members tried to block ICE vehicles. She said the ICE agent “fired defensive shots” as Good tried “to run over” agents.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed those claims, calling them “bull----.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on social media, “Don’t believe this propaganda machine.”
In the past four months alone, immigration officers have fired on at least nine people in five states and Washington, D.C., according to The New York Times.
READ MORE: Immigration traffic stops: Drivers have rights, says the Constitution, lawyers
About two dozen protesters at the Torch of Friendship in Miami on Wednesday night held signs that said “Abolish Ice,” “Justice for Renee Nicole Good” and other statements. One of the protesters cloaked himself in an American flag.
Protesters were chanting “Justice for Renee” as cars passed by. A Metrobus driver tapped his horn in support while passing by.
Martin Vidal, 33, said he was also protesting because ICE shot “an innocent woman doing nothing wrong.” He added: “I’m angry. Others feel sad. Others feel scared.”
There were no counter-protesters. Although, a passerby yelled, “Let’s go Trump” at the group as he walked by.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had increased enforcement in Minneapolis, similar to what South Floridians have seen in the last year.
A Miami Herald analysis of ICE data found that more than 20,000 immigrants have been arrested in Florida since President Donald Trump returned to office on Jan. 20, 2025.
READ MORE: Caught in the Crackdown
Martine told the Herald people from all walks of life are being targeted, and that is creating fear. Immigrants are what make Miami and the rest of America great, she continued.
“I love this city, and I want everyone to feel safe,” Martine said.
Recently, on December 3, a Miami Herald reporter caught on video the arrest of a woman in medical scrubs driving on U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys. She was detained by federal agents, including some with ICE.
During the stop, she screamed, “I’m a U.S. citizen, please help me,” which the Herald and federal authorities confirmed.
READ MORE: ‘I’m a U.S. citizen.’ Agents pull woman from car in Keys. Feds said she wouldn’t show ID
Miami Herald Staff Writer David Goodhue contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 9:01 PM.
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