ICE’s Deadly Force is a Threat to Our Democracy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Rodriguez, media@acslaw.org

Washington, DC – The American Constitution Society today released the following statement from President Phil Brest in response to yesterday’s killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis:

“Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by a masked federal agent in broad daylight during an ICE operation in Minneapolis yesterday. Our thoughts are with her family and community as they mourn this tragic loss. Sadly, this incident is one of many committed by ICE in the past year. The Trump administration has targeted communities with violent and militarized tactics not to create safety but rather to deliberately provoke, threaten, and suppress dissent. These operations, aimed at cities the president perceives to be his political enemies, are corrosive to our democracy, the rule of law, and our constitutional freedoms. There must be accountability.

Under the Trump administration, we’ve witnessed a disturbing escalation of violence against protestors, legal observers, journalists, and even clergy. In Chicago, a judge found that “agents have used excessive force…without justification, often without warning, and even at those who had begun to comply with agents’ orders.” Communities should be able to assemble and bear witness without fearing for their lives. And yet, the administration continues to trample on these core constitutional rights, falsely labeling protestors as domestic terrorists, and lying time and again about the actions of everyday people out supporting and protecting their neighbors.

The right to protest is sacred. It is enshrined in the First Amendment’s protection of speech and assembly and is rooted in the very DNA of our democracy. When armed agents, encouraged by the President and top government officials, intentionally use excessive and deadly force against civilians exercising that right, they not only cause immediate serious harm to individuals —they erode public trust, chill free speech, and obstruct accountability. Enough is enough.

ACS stands with the people of Minneapolis, including its members, Chapter leaders, and staff, and local elected officials, and every community refusing to be silenced by fear. Together, we will continue to defend democracy and to support those who champion the rule of law. And though it will take time, we will transform our system of law and government into a force for good.”

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AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
The American Constitution Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, our mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other historically excluded communities. For more information, visit us at www.acslaw.org