More than 60 largely peaceful protests took place this weekend against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, including several in Southern California.
But while many protests were without incident, they were not short on anger and moments of tension. Organizers called the gatherings the “ICE Out for Good” weekend of action in response to the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis.
In Huntington Beach, Ron Duplantis, 72, carried a diagram to represent the three shots fired at Good, including one through her windshield and two others that appeared to go through her side window.
“Those last two shots,” he said, “make it clear to me that this is murder.”
Participants in the “ICE Out” protest hold signs Sunday in Huntington Beach.
(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach, CA – More than 60 protests erupted across the country this weekend, largely peaceful, targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstrations were sparked by the shooting death of Renée Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. What’s driving this nationwide outcry? The protests center on accusations of excessive force and a demand for accountability.
Anger and Tension in Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, the scene was charged with emotion, though largely non-violent. Roughly 300 protesters gathered outside City Hall, chanting “ICE out of O.C.” and ringing cowbells. They were met by a smaller group of about two dozen counterprotesters.
Ron Duplantis, 72, brought a diagram illustrating the three shots fired at Good – one through the windshield, two through the side window. “Those last two shots,” he stated, “make it clear to me that this is murder.”
A History of Division
Huntington Beach has a well-documented history of political clashes, including past confrontations between supporters of former President Trump and anti-racism activists. The city, traditionally a Republican stronghold, has seen a recent political shift. Orange County, in particular, carries a complex legacy of political extremism, including a 2021 “White Lives Matter” rally that resulted in 12 arrests.
What exactly happened in Minneapolis? Renée Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 11. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, with differing accounts emerging from officials and witnesses.
Sunday’s protest remained tense but did not escalate to violence. Cars passing by on Main Street were met with both honking horns of support and shouted endorsements of ICE, MAGA, and former President Trump.
“The reason why I’m here is democracy,” said Mary Artesani, 69, of Costa Mesa, holding a sign reading “RESIST.” “They have to remember he won’t be in office forever.”
Participants in the “ICE Out” protest in Huntington Beach hold signs as a car with a MAGA hat in the windshield passes.
(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
Beyond Huntington Beach
Similar protests unfolded across California this weekend, including in the Bay Area and Sacramento. In Oakland, demonstrators gathered at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, leaving graffiti overnight, according to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle. In Los Angeles, protesters marched Saturday evening, prompting a dispersal order from the L.A. Police Department around 6:30 p.m., as reported by City News Service.
The demonstrations also brought attention to the case of Keith Porter Jr., who was killed by an off-duty ICE agent in Northridge on New Year’s Eve.
Counterprotester Victoria Cooper, 72, holds signs and shouts at participants of the “ICE Out” protest in Huntington Beach.
(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)
Denise G., a 52-year-old Huntington Beach resident and one of the protest organizers, said the group has been demonstrating every Sunday since March. “I felt devastated, angry, and more determined than ever” after seeing the video of Good’s shooting, she explained.
Worth a look
