We are grieving and horrified by the murder of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed this week by ICE. Today, we are sending solidarity and care to each of you in this very intense week, and writing with action steps you can take to show up in solidarity.
Renee was likely taking action against what the Trump administration is calling the “largest immigration operation ever,” a deployment of 2,000 ICE agents sent to target Somali and Latino communities. They claim 150 arrests were made on Monday alone. Since Trump’s inauguration, there have been 32 reported deaths in ICE custody.
Renee was killed less than a mile from where George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police in 2020. Once again we see reckless, racist state violence resulting in the loss of life.
We know that militarized state violence – whether abroad in Venezuela or here at home – does not make any of our communities safer. It is deadly to communities of color– and no one who stands in the way of authoritarianism is safe.
This week, a white woman did what those in power fear the most: she broke rank, rejected the racist lies aimed at winning over white people, and instead chose to stand in solidarity with her immigrant neighbors.
I know right now many of us are scared, angry, and grieving. And– this is a time for those of us who are white to root in our commitments and continue to take risks and step into action. In the face of intimidation and state repression we must stand resolute, refuse to be intimidated, and recommit to the fight against ICE and white supremacy everywhere.
We have been in touch with our chapter and leaders in Minneapolis who are doing just that alongside their community. Over and over again, powerful organizers in the Twin Cities have shown us how to stand up, fight back, and set a vision for a future where multiracial solidarity ensures that all people can live in safety.
We must continue to stand alongside our immigrant neighbors and work to defund and dismantle ICE.
Here are three ways you can show up this week:
- Get into the streets. There are protests popping up across the country– find one near you, stay safe, and join us in our refusal to be intimidated.
- SURJ is co-sponsoring a day of action tomorrow against Chevron and Citgo, companies that will profit from the occupation of Venezuela while here at home, ICE spends billions targeting immigrant communities.
- Join an #ICEoutForGood action near you sponsored by some of our national partners.
- Join SURJ at our webinar, “White People Against ICE: solidarity with Minneapolis and how we fight back everywhere” on Monday, Jan 12 at 8 pm ET. We’ll be hearing from organizers from our chapter on the ground in Minneapolis, we’ll hold space together in the grief and intensity of this moment, and talk about how we can show up in solidarity.
- Donate to the GoFundMe to support Nicole’s family.
See you this weekend and then again on Monday–
SURJ
Showing Up for Racial Justice
PO Box 1376
Buffalo, NY 14205
United States