By Ben Jones
Minneapolis is once again the focus of debates about violence involving law enforcement after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, in her car.
The incident quickly prompted dueling narratives. Trump administration officials defended the shooting as justified, while local officials condemned it.
The shooting will also likely prompt renewed scrutiny of training and policy of officers and the question of them shooting at moving vehicles. There has been a recent trend in law enforcement toward policies that prohibit such shootings. It is a policy shift that has shown promise in saving lives.
Decades ago, the New York City Police Department prohibited its officers from shooting at moving vehicles. That led to a drop in police killings without putting officers in greater danger.
Debates over deadly force are often contentious, but as I note in my research on police ethics and policy, for the most part there is consensus on one point: Policing should reflect a commitment to valuing human life and prioritizing its protection. Many use-of-force policies adopted by police departments endorse that principle.
Yet, as in Minneapolis, controversial law enforcement killings continue to occur. Not all agencies have implemented prohibitions on shooting at vehicles. Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.
In addition, explicit prohibitions on shooting at vehicles are largely absent from the law, which means that officers responsible for fatal shootings of drivers that appear to violate departmental policies still often escape criminal penalties.
In the case of ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, its policy on shooting at moving vehicles – unlike that of many police agencies – lacks a clear instruction for officers to get out of the way of moving vehicles where feasible. It’s an omission at odds with generally recognized best practices in policing.
ICE’s policy on shooting at moving vehicles
ICE’s current use-of-force policy prohibits its officers from “discharging firearms at the operator of a moving vehicle” unless it is necessary to stop a grave threat. The policy is explicit that deadly force should not be used “solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect.”
That point is relevant for evaluating the fatal shooting in Minneapolis. Videos show one officer trying to open the door of the vehicle that Good was driving, while another officer appears to be in front of the vehicle as she tried to pull away.
AP/Yuki Iwamura
Shooting to prevent the driver simply from getting away would have been in violation of agency policy and obviously inconsistent with prioritizing the protection of life.
ICE’s policy lacks clear instruction, however, for its officers to get out of the way of moving vehicles where feasible. In contrast, the Department of Justice’s use-of-force policy makes it explicit that officers should not shoot at a vehicle if they can protect themselves by “moving out of the path of the vehicle.”
Notably, President Joe Biden issued an executive order in 2022 requiring federal law enforcement agencies – like ICE – to adopt use-of-force policies “that are equivalent to, or exceed, the requirements” of the Department of Justice’s policy.
Despite that order, the provision to step out of the way of moving cars never made it into the use-of-force policy that applies to ICE.
The rationale for not shooting at moving vehicles
Prioritizing the protection of life doesn’t rule out deadly force. Sometimes such force is necessary to protect lives from a grave threat, such as an active shooter. But it does rule out using deadly force when less harmful tactics can stop a threat. In such cases, deadly force is unnecessary – a key consideration in law and ethics that can render force unjustified.
That’s the concern involved with police shooting at moving vehicles. It often is not necessary because officers have a less harmful option to avoid a moving vehicle’s threat: stepping out of the way.
This guidance has the safety of both suspects and police in mind. Obviously, police not shooting lowers the risk of harm to the suspect. But it also lowers the risk to the officer in the vast majority of cases because of the laws of physics. If you shoot the driver of a car barreling toward you, that rarely brings a car to an immediate stop, and the vehicle often continues on its path.
Many police departments have incorporated these insights into their policies. A recent analysis of police department policies in the 100 largest U.S. cities found that close to three-quarters of them have prohibitions against shooting at moving vehicles.
The gap between policy and best practices for protecting life
The shooting in Minneapolis serves as a stark reminder of the stubborn gap that often persists between law and policy on the one hand and best law enforcement practices for protecting life on the other. When steps are taken to close that gap, however, they can have a meaningful impact.
Doral Chenoweth/AP
Some of the most compelling examples involve local, state and federal measures that reinforce one another. Consider the “fleeing felon rule,” which used to allow police to shoot a fleeing felony suspect to prevent their escape even when the suspect posed no danger to others.
That rule was at odds with the doctrine of prioritizing the protection of life, leading some departments to revise their use-of-force policies and some states to ban the rule. In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for police to shoot a fleeing suspect who was not a danger.
Banning that questionable tactic notably led to a reduction in killings by police.
This history suggests that clear bans in law and policy on questionable tactics have the potential to save lives, while also strengthening the means for holding officers accountable.
Ben Jones is Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Research Associate in the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State.
YankeeExPat says
Domestic Terrorist my Ass !
Noem and Vance are both full of Shit.
Every American (especially Veterans ) that displays a U.S. flag should fly it upside down
” An upside-down U.S. flag is officially a signal of dire distress or extreme danger to life or property”
Skibum says
Absolute truth. Experienced officers know better than to place themself in front of a vehicle in situations like the one in Minneapolis. If there were no other option, that would be one thing. But from an officer safety standpoint in the middle of the street, that was a very vulnerable spot and both training and experience should have dictated a much safer positioning that would not place the ICE officer who fired his weapon in harm’s way if the driver started moving the car forward toward him.
Law enforcement officers can use deadly force in defense of their own lives, but lots of questions and concerns arise when an officer places himself in such a vulnerable and indefensible position that then requires him to resort to deadly force because of his own lack of judgement, or if it was intentional. I’m not saying it was in this case, but we do not know what was going through that ICE officer’s head at the time of the incident, and the authorities in Minneapolis have just as much right to know as the federal investigators who will be conducting the shooting investigation.
After watching multiple videos several times, it appears to me that the female driver, having turned the steering wheel to the right when her car moved forward, was trying to drive away and avoid the officer who was attempting to open the driver’s door. It does not look to me like she was intentionally aiming her car at the ICE officer who fired the fatal shots, killing her as she tried to drive away.
The situation went bad quickly, and there are certainly questions from many people regarding why the officer placed himself in such a dangerous position to begin with. There is additional information about the same ICE officer that indicates he was injured by another vehicle that dragged him more than 100 feet six months ago when the officer had reached inside the driver’s door to detain someone and the driver accelerated away with the officer’s arm still inside the car, injuring that officer. Was that officer afraid he was going to be run over by the female driver in this incident? Did he know she was turning to the right to go around him when he fired the fatal shots that killed her?
I also think it is very concerning that federal authorities apparently are blocking the Minnesota law enforcement officials from seeing the evidence and being involved in the investigation into this shooting, which will only lead to more speculation, more distrust of whatever investigation result federal officials determine without cooperation with state and local authorities, and the potential for more violence in Minneapolis because citizens are so outraged at the way federal ICE officers are conducting themselves.
Transparency is apparently not a priority of federal officials, and statements from the president, Vance and Kristi Noem have included misstatements and outright falsehoods that are easily debunked simply from seeing what transpired on the video. What they should have said is that it is too early to make any statements or place blame, and that a thorough investigation with cooperation with state and local authorities has begun. Obviously that is not what happened, and it doesn’t appear to me that federal authorities are even trying to foster good relations with other law enforcement agencies or the citizens after such a tragic incident involving a fatal use of force that many people view as unjustified.
Sherry says
Thank You Skibum! Excellent comment!
Joe D says
In a situation like this, law enforcement USUALLY makes statements like “We are currently collecting information and reviewing evidence. This is an ongoing investigation, and it is too soon to make any formal determinations at this time.” That should be the experienced law enforcement representative’s response in any similar incident. But what does our completely UNQUALIFIED ( in my opinion) Director of Homeland Security say (straight out at the beginning of the incident report)? Kristi Noem IMMEDIATELY labeled this victim as a DOMESTIC TERRORIST and accused her of intentionally trying to run over the officer with her vehicle, who, fearing for his life, fired the fatal shots in self defense….with ABSOLUTELY NO SUPPORTING EVIDENCE at that time as to ANY of those supposed “facts.” Luckily there are now MULTIPLE videos from SEVERAL vantage points which refute the ICE claims of self defense. I HOPE we see a fair and impartial investigation come out of this incident, but TRANSPARENCY (in my opinion ) is not the Trump Administration’s strong suit!
That’s what happens when you place inexperienced and unqualified individuals in National Administrative positions just because they are MAGA “yes” men and women (in my opinion). Unfortunately this will likely not be the last of this kind of tragedy during these borderline unconstitutional ICE mobilizations.
Jacob says
Disciplined. Meaning letting radicals spit on you, throwing objects at you, hitting you, verbally abusing you, harming others, and not enforcing law and order.
Sherry says
Ok jacob, should cops now just shoot anyone that spits on them or throws sandwiches or snowballs at them? Do you even realize what you are saying? Are you advocating some kind of fascist police state? Is that really where you want to live? If so, Russia is lovely this time of the year!
Just asking says
Why do ICE Agents have to hide their faces when no other law enforcement agencies do that? What are they hiding from and why? Have they had background checks done before being hired? Do they have any initial training?
Pogo says
Well said.
Tried, and true:
As stated
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+peelian+reform
Laurel says
So, are ICE Officers so stupid, they have to have a written policy to step away from a slow moving vehicle? Seriously?
“”The policy is explicit that deadly force should not be used “solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect.”” Just exactly was that mom suspected of, videoing these mongrels in motion? Aiming a stuffed bear at the agents? So, when an agent gets a chip on his shoulder, he is free to kill? We’ve seen how they treat people.
Don’t even try to explain away and make excuses for this trash Trump administration. Trump is toast. He is responsible for this preventable tragedy. This scum sucking administration is going to continue to lie, cheat, steal and foul up our country and tear up our Constitution, when they should be arrested, pulled from office and thrown in prison for not upholding the Constitution that they pledged to do. Instead, they are going to double down and continue to kill American moms then defame and denounce them.
This administration pollutes us. All the chaos and law breaking will accelerate to keep themselves in power. To keep you overwhelmed.
Skibum says
Federal authorities like VP Vance and HSI secretary Noem are proffering a narrative that whatever brutality happens by ICE agents in cities all across America, they will stand their in front of our nation’s media and claim immediately afterward that the violent actions against American citizens was necessary and justified. Such a preposterous and dangerous stance will only embolden out of control federal masked agents to ignore well established procedures and agency policies to achieve their desired outcomes.
Will the message be that ICE agents can intentionally place themselves in the line of fire or in dangerous, ill advised positions that goes against their training and good judgement, just so they can escalate incidents to the point where they then need to use deadly force… and then claim self defense? Is that what we have come to expect of masked mobs of federal law enforcement officers in our cities now?
That kind of behavior is NOT law enforcement. It is violence committed under color of authority, which is a crime and punishable under both federal and state laws.
Sherry says
Another excellent posting Skibum! Thank You Again!
Laurel says
“New ICE agents undergo training that has been shortened to approximately 47 days, which is about six weeks. This reduction in training time has raised concerns about the preparedness of the agents for their roles.”
– Search Assist, People, Government Executive
President 47 only requires 47 days of training for new ICE Agents. I wonder how they came up with that number of days for training.
Skibum says
Wow, I did not know that, and it is alarming but not surprising considering who is at the top giving the marching orders. My law enforcement basic training academy in L.A. was six months long, followed by a full year on probation out in the field under the watchful eyes of various FTO’s (field training officers).
A mere 47 days of basic training for ICE officers is hardly enough to make them minimally proficient with the pointy end of a gun and to learn the alphabetical listing of all of the convicted felon president’s “shithole” countries!
Laurel says
Skibum: Another very upsetting aspect is how this erodes the public trust of Police. I think of you, and the long career you had, sincerely protecting the public.
Who do we trust now? There are tons of incidents on TikTok and other sources, that show “Police” chasing people down the streets, trespassing private properties, harassing people, and screaming in the faces of citizens and threatening to “arrest” them for simply standing in place and videoing “Police” actions. These monsters are dressed in battle fatigues, ski masks, bulletproof vests, guns, machine guns, no id, and “Police” written on their backs. Police? They are videoed spraying mace in the faces of school students who have the legal right to protest. This is documented. They are not Police. If I was in Good’s position, I would try to get away too! Who are these men? Who are we supposed to trust?
This administration is tearing down the trust that local Police worked hard to establish. The administration is tearing up the Constitution. They should be the ones being arrested, duly prosecuted and thrown in jail. Congress should go after these goons, and this administration. No more of this “immunity” bullshit.
Me says
Their the same ones that stormed our Capitol. Trump is building his violent army for his next take over of our country.
Sherry says
@ Laurel. . . a commentator pointed out that it takes longer than 47 days of training to be a manager at “The Cheesecake Factory”. Now, I haven’t verified this, but you should all get the point and really “think” about that!
There is an extremely valid reason for “NOT” shooting the driver of a moving car. “Think” about the dangers an out of control car poses to the public.
The victim was NOT a threat! That ICE agent absolutely needs to be held accountable!!!
Joe D says
Vance is parroting the MAGA “spin” on this tragedy. Since he considers himself the “heir apparent” for the GOP candidate for President in 2028, “if” the current attempts to change the laws to allow a 3rd Trump presidential term fail. God help us with Vance at the helm! There just HAS to be better candidates out there !!!
Sherry says
This is what fascist dictatorship looks like. . . right out of 1984!!!
Al says
Didn’t you complain about Manduro being arrested. So do like fascism or just like throwing the word around?
Sherry says
@al, Since you obviously are not intelligent enough to recognize acts of fascism, engaging with your further is simply a complete waste of my time. . . except to point out that your “lord and master” trump has left Venezuela under fascist rule. Now, just like our country is becoming! SMH!
Sherry says
@ al. . . my last ditch effort to educate you. . . I hope it is not too late. . . please take just a few minutes to “open your mind”, watch this video and reach back to when you (hopefully) were an “independent” thinker. If this doesn’t convince you that the US has now become a “fascist” state that must be brought back to a democratic republic, then I’m sorry to say you are completely “lost” to all healthy and good society:
https://youtu.be/qQAhv7j-NLM
Laurel says
Yeah, that’s Trump, Vance, Noem, et al, reducing crime in Democratic cities. Everything under control.
They, and the rest of the administration should be removed from office immediately. We knew this was inevitable, yet they are going to double down and continue. So stay home, good little people, and you might not get shot in the face for no crime committed. You may be able to raise your babies. Well, maybe. They are going door to door as well.
What is happening to our shining city on the hill, the envy of the world? Fascism, full blown.
More to come.
Al says
What bunch of stupidity coming from the left. You have a mayor who already has determined guilt, a governor that’s a buffoon and a racist attorney general. If that bimbo would have been caring for children rather than interfering with law enforcement she’d still be alive. The illegals need to be removed, everyone of them and tough titties if you don’t like that. Try backing common sense when it comes to the law rather than just your TDS.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Bimbo?? TDS blinds the incompetents, tRump Devotion Syndrome.
Sherry says
Thank you Nephew of Uncle Sam. . . Absolutely Maga radicalized cult TDS= trump “Devotion” Syndrome!
Laurel says
Al: Oh, great. Now the victim is a “bimbo” who should have stayed home. She had just dropped off her child! You call what happened to her “common sense.” What planet are you from?
Your comments are disgusting, and I’m done with you too.
Republican Dave says
This is one of the most ignorant statements I’ve ever heard. “Bimbo” who should stay home, is the degradation of women. Your stance is, government has the right to shoot someone in the street? This Ice Agent was not in fear for his life, not needing to shoot a woman in the head multiple times.
I remember Kent State. It’s time we stand up for our rights, stand up the truth, and not allow this disgrace to continue. The government is trying to spin this tragedy, and is not telling us the truth. The agent is a coward, and has no honor.
Sherry says
Thank You Republican Dave! We need a healthy Republican party. I sincerely hope this terrible tragedy is a tipping point to wake our good neighbors up to how our country is spinning out of control and away from a moral society.
Kennan says
Al, amazing how you can be patently wrong and use false equivalence with such breathtaking casualness.
Let’s get a couple things straight: the mayor of Minneapolis was not prematurely, determining guilt, but literally seeing guilt, an aggressively handed out murder, and culpability as well as support of it by Donald J Von Douchberg, as well as Christie Nohm. These events have been witnessed in at least 15 different angles, and they support nothing , but the reality that this administration will lie, cheat, STEAl and manipulate rubes like you to support a narrative of fear, racism and ultimately domination.
I always find it very telling that a lot of these militant types, with their “Don’t Tread on Me” flags, license, plates, and bumper stickers inject this fear of BIG GOVERNMENT overreach, yet here they are supporting ORWELLIAN government overreach.
Pogo says
@But at least we don’t have to fear genocide Joe
… right?
Bethechange says
Ah Al, how quickly you devolve into baseless, general name-calling, absent any relevant or real analysis. The evidence demonstrably illustrates facist tactics and the inane utterances of the administration borders on a Totalitarianism. Please, for everyone’s sake, think for yourself and resist the temptation to believe what the Others in the back of the classroom tell you just happened.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Bottom line….Liberal,s pull your bloomers out of your ass please! When A cop, peace officer, the national guard, or ICE, give you a direct order to get out of the car. You listen period! You don’t listen to your lover who yelled for you to drive away, she,s the one with blood on there hands, not ICE, not TRUMP! If a Flagler deputy stop you, you don’t drive away saying Im leaving do you? A car is a deadly weapon….1 can kill many people at one time. I’m sure she didn’t want to hit the agent, but she panicked, while listening to a fool. Real Americans dont take back to police, they didn’t stop you for HA HA,s, you did something wrong! Wake up people, 77 million patriots voted to take our country back.And take it back, TRUMPS doing just that! As the JACKASS party promotes riots in the streets, with their PAYED AGITATERS ! We have seen this story play out, many times before, its like a broken record of destruction, looting, burning, when the Dems don’t get their way. Maybe next time you will pick a quality, qualified, person to run in 28.
Kennan says
Peace officers huh?😂😂😂 That’s laughable.
No Constitutional adherence. No due process, and breaking the law on a daily basis.
Masks embolden them.
The tactic is simple. Be extremely aggressive, because remember you’re wearing a mask . You bait the victims by whatever provocative means you see fit. When they stand their ground in any way, or even run? ICE then tries to justify acting with extreme prejudice and violence and ultimately murder.
The Administration tries desperately to change the narrative. They try to pull the wool over America’s eyes, but how?
Dennis, if you and too many others were real Americans? You would not pour kerosene on an all too Criptocrat/ Bloodlican country. Stop using your supposed “BALLS” to concoct theories. Use your “EYEBALLS “ to see the truth.
BillC says
This was an execution. How many ICE agents came from Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, other militias, who jumped at the chance to put on a uniform, a mask, and a gun when they heard the words Immigration and Border Control.
Sherry says
BTW. . . Here are the words recorded at the time:
An ICE agent said “f–king b—h” in the moments after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot in the head in Minneapolis, a new video shows.
It is unclear who uttered the vile slur but the new clip, obtained by the local outlet Alpha News, is recorded from the perspective of Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who fired three shots through the windshield and side window of Good’s SUV.
The chilling footage reveals that a dog was in the backseat of Good’s car at the time of the shooting. She is approached by what appears to be an ICE officer, who circles her vehicle and records her license plate.
New video footage of Renee Nicole Good interacting with and then being killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross
Renne Nicole Good in the moments before she was fatally shot in the head by an ICE agent.
Screenshot/Alpha News/X
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, does not appear flustered in the clip. The last words she can be heard saying before being shot were, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you. I’m not mad at you.”
Moments later, as a woman believed to be Good’s wife, Rebecca, confronts the recording officer, a pickup truck arrives at the scene. ICE agents are seen quickly walking toward Good’s vehicle and ordering her to step outside of it.
“Get out of the f–king car,” an agent says.
Rebecca, after failing to get in the passenger door, then yells, “drive baby, drive.”
Tony Mack says
Yes, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is classified as a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security with authority to arrest, detain, and investigate immigration violations. However, ICE agents do not have unlimited power—they face significant constitutional restrictions that many people don’t realize, especially when it comes to entering homes and private spaces.
Here’s what makes this critical to understand right now: recent ICE enforcement actions, including a controversial Minneapolis shooting that left a U.S. citizen dead, have sparked urgent questions about ICE’s authority, accountability, and what rights individuals have during ICE encounters.
Recent Developments: The Minneapolis Shooting and ICE Accountability
The recent fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has sparked national outrage and renewed questions about ICE’s use of force and accountability.
According to city officials, Good was acting as a legal observer documenting federal immigration actions when she was shot and killed. The incident has prompted demands for investigation and highlighted a crucial legal point: federal law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, can be charged with crimes under state law when they violate constitutional rights or exceed their lawful authority.
As legal experts have noted, ICE agents “do not have universal immunity” and can face murder charges if their use of force is unjustified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are ICE agents the same as police officers?
No. While both are law enforcement, ICE is federal and enforces immigration law, while police are typically state or local and enforce criminal laws. ICE agents also have different arrest authority—they can make warrantless arrests for immigration violations but cannot enter homes without judicial warrants.
Q: Can ICE arrest U.S. citizens?
Technically, ICE’s authority is limited to immigration enforcement, but mistakes happen. U.S. citizens have been wrongfully detained by ICE. If you’re a U.S. citizen, clearly state that fact and request to contact the U.S. Consulate or an attorney.
Q: Does ICE need a warrant to arrest someone?
For arrests in public spaces, no—ICE can arrest based on probable cause alone. For arrests in private spaces like homes, ICE technically has statutory authority for warrantless arrests but still faces Fourth Amendment constraints requiring judicial warrants or consent to enter private spaces.
Q: What’s the difference between ICE and Border Patrol?
Border Patrol (part of CBP) operates at borders and ports of entry. ICE operates in the U.S. interior. Both are under the Department of Homeland Security but have different jurisdictions and responsibilities.
Q: Can ICE detain me indefinitely?
No. While ICE can detain individuals pending removal proceedings, prolonged detention without due process can violate constitutional rights. Courts have set limits on how long ICE can detain individuals without hearings.
Q: What if I see ICE activity in my neighborhood?
Document what you observe from a safe distance. Do not interfere with law enforcement operations, but you can serve as a witness. Contact local immigrant rights organizations to report ICE activity.
Q: Can I record ICE agents?
Generally yes, if you’re in a public space or your own property. However, do not interfere with their operations. Recording from a safe distance is your First Amendment right.
Q: What happens if I refuse to let ICE into my home?
If ICE has only an administrative warrant, refusing entry is your constitutional right. If they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, they can legally enter. If they enter without a judicial warrant despite your refusal, that may violate your Fourth Amendment rights—document what happens and contact an attorney immediately.
Official Resources:
ICE Official Website: http://www.ice.gov
Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov
Immigration Law Resource Center: http://www.ilrc.org
American Immigration Lawyers Association: http://www.aila.org
Sherry says
Kristi Noem “doubled down” on calling the Minneapolis ICE shooting victim, Renee Good, a “domestic terrorist” during her interview with Jake Tapper . However, she defended trump pardoning the Jan,. 6th Maga rioters. . . take a look:
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/01/11/full_interview_cnns_jake_tapper_grills_dhs_secretary_noem_on_shooting_of_renee_good.html
Sherry says
The View From Minneapolis by Robert Reich:
Friends,
I just received this from Phillip Cryan, a former student who lives in Minneapolis:
I got an unexpected, heartfelt “I love you” this afternoon from a Latino neighbor driving by in an SUV. He was stopped at a red light, and saw me trying to read his vehicle’s license plate. He knew that meant I was out patrolling for ICE, so he rolled down his tinted windows to shout out with a laugh “we’re not those assholes!” And then he thanked me for what I was doing and told me “I love you,” pumping his fist to his heart.
I got an unexpected, heartfelt “I love you” on Friday afternoon, at the vigil in front of the State Capitol, from an elder whose wisdom I revere, and who I had thought I’d just barely been getting started on the project of hopefully getting to know.
I got an unexpected, heartfelt “I love you” on Thursday morning before dawn, at the protest in front of the Whipple building (ICE’s central staging location here), from one of the original members of the Planned Parenthood North Central States union bargaining team I spent 2022 and 2023 in the trenches with, fighting for a first union contract. She had on a much better mask and goggles than I did, for the pepper spray we were about to get hit with by jackbooted ICE agents hoping to provoke peaceful protestors to respond with violence.
I didn’t get an “I love you” from him, but a neighbor on my block who has always seemed to be the type of strong, taciturn Midwestern guy who would be mortified at the suggestion of any physical or overtly-emotional connection with another guy readily accepted when I asked if it was okay to give him a hug yesterday morning, when we got back to our block after having both raced to a nearby corner where ICE agents with long guns had been reported (but they were gone by the time we got there). And he wept in my arms.
This is what is happening in Minnesota right now. The horror, grief and fear we are all experiencing every day, watching our neighbors get hauled away by reckless, cruel, masked paramilitaries; trying to protect one another; and knowing that what they did to Renee Nicole Good could happen to any of us, is generating this: unexpected, heartfelt new connections of not just solidarity but real love. At a massive, simply-incomprehensible scale. Good people coming together in all our fear and vulnerability and care and kindness and bravery, discovering the transformative power of our love for one another.