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Anti-ICE agitators, including activists and clergy, swarmed outside the entrance of the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis Friday, rallying to halt federal immigration enforcement in the blue city following the “ICE Out of MN: Day of Truth and Freedom” march.
Thousands of people marched Friday from The Commons in downtown Minneapolis to the arena.
Tensions flared in the city following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, as organizers called for no work, no school and no shopping Friday.
People taking part in the march were seen picketing with signs reading, “Silence is more dangerous than frostbite,” “This was a terrible idea, Napoleon Bovino” and “Justice for Renee Good.”
Anti-ICE agitators gather Friday in downtown Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
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Others, in the frigid minus 20 below zero temperatures, chanted, “Stand up, fight back,” “What do we want? ICE out! When do we want it? Now!” and “The people united will never be defeated.”
Nearby skywalks were packed with onlookers waving at the marchers.
Once inside the arena, footage captured a less impressive group of demonstrators coordinating “the wave” with signs and sitting in stadium seats, seemingly warming up from the bitter conditions outside.
Attendees hold signs during a rally against federal immigration enforcement at Target Center, Friday, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
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While the demonstration appeared peaceful, reporters at the scene noted a security checkpoint was set up in front of the arena, with a metal detector.
People listen to speeches during an anti-ICE rally at the Target Center, Friday, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Elizabeth Shaffer, who represents Ward 7 on the Minneapolis City Council, took to social media to applaud the turnout.
“Thousands showed up today to peacefully march in downtown Minneapolis and rally at the Target Center to demand: ICE out of Minnesota now!” Shaffer wrote in an X post.
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She shared a photo inside the stadium, which appeared to show mostly empty seats behind a Jumbotron reading “ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.