PROTESTS IN US CONTINUE AFTER FATAL ICE SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS

WASHINGTON, Jan 10 (Bernama-dpa) – Protests against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continued on Friday following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, with demonstrations spreading to several other US states, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

According to media reports, dozens of students joined rallies in Minneapolis in the US state of Minnesota, protesting against the presence of ICE officers. For the weekend, hundreds of protests and rallies nationwide under the slogan "ICE Out For Good" have been announced.

A coalition of civil rights and migrant organisations called for the events, saying the actions are intended to remain peaceful and focus on opposition to increasing violence by ICE authorities, as well as their operations in local communities and schools.

Renee Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was shot in her car during an ICE operation on Wednesday. The killing, which was captured on video, has sparked a national outcry. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

An ICE operation involving about 2,000 federal officers has been underway in the Minneapolis–St Paul area for several days, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reiterated his criticism of ICE at a press conference on Friday, saying the agency harms the local economy, democracy and public safety. He called for a thorough and transparent investigation involving Minnesota state law enforcement.

The US Department of Justice has assigned the FBI to lead the investigation. US President Donald Trump said the federal government would not cooperate with Minnesota authorities, whom he called corrupt.

Trump has tightened deportation policy during his second term in office, and ICE operations in Democratic-led cities have previously sparked protests.

—BERNAMA-dpa