Akron protesters rally in Highland Square over fatal ICE shooting

More than 200 people gathered in Akron‘s Highland Square neighborhood Thursday evening to protest the fatal Wednesday shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis.

Demonstrators filled the small park at the northwest corner of West Market Street and North Portage Path as they carried handmade signs along with some provided by the organizers of the protest — the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) — that stated “ICE out of our communities” and “Justice for Renee Nicole Good.”

Demonstration leaders held megaphones and led the crowd in chants such as “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A.” Many of the rush hour drivers passing by honked their horns in support; a handful shouted obscenities.

PSL member Matthew Charlebois said the purpose of the protest was to create a gathering of solidarity.

“We thought it was important for us to come out here to show solidarity with immigrants, to all those fighting against ICE, to demand the abolition of ICE, and to show that Akron won’t tolerate anyone coming in and terrorizing immigrants and citizens alike,” he said.Halfway through the protest, several speakers addressed the crowd, including Sharon Aguilera of PSL.

“We have to come together because that’s what they’re afraid of. They’re afraid of community.” Aguilera said the protesters were “fighting for our freedom, fighting for justice, fighting for peace because they’re not going to give it to us. We have to fight for it.”

‘ICE isn’t cool’

Yaseen Shaikh, of the Akron Palestine Solidarity Collective, also spoke.

“Renee’s martyrdom teaches us that nobody is safe until we are all safe,” he said. “Know your rights, learn how we can better resist and how we can better protect ourselves and each other.”

Sisters Kathy Sterba, of Peninsula, and Tina Moretz, of Akron, participated in the event, with Sterba wearing a penguin costume and carrying a sign that stated, “ICE isn’t cool.”

“I am here today because this has to stop – the lawlessness, the injustices. We are a democracy, and I’ll fight for it,” she said. “I come in peace, but I demonstrate loudly.”

In addition to the protest in Highland Square, Moretz said she has also demonstrated with the Rubber City Resistance and The Bridge Brigade, groups that create awareness about national issues on highway overpasses and in other public spaces.

“I can’t not do it,” she said of why she protests. 

On Thursday morning, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13) released a statement urging a full investigation and accountability after Good’s death in Minneapolis:

“The video of the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good is devastating to watch and raises questions about the use of deadly force. This event must be treated professionally and with a full investigation and complete transparency. As ICE agents have been deployed across the country, the administration must ensure they are adequately trained to de-escalate tense situations and maintain the safety of the American people. I will work with my colleagues to ensure accountability and safety.”