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TRANSCRIPT:
These are the sounds of a ceremony held by Indigenous leaders in Minneapolis, honouring those killed during the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.
The death of Renee Good, and that of another Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti, just weeks later, have stoked nationwide outrage over the widespread immigration crackdown.
The gathering—named 'Wokiksuye: In Remembrance and Witness', marks one month since Minneapolis resident Renee Good was killed as she was driving away from immigration officers in a Minneapolis neighbourhood.
Renee Good's sister, Annie Good, spoke at the memorial, paying tribute to her sister's strength and warmth.
"Renee always remained so tender and open and was a caretaker and protector. I like to acknowledge, acknowledge that this type of violence isn't new and how unfair it is that the way someone looks garners more or less attention. And I'm so sorry that this is the reality.”
A letter from Renee’s wife, Becca Good, was read aloud to the crowd, urging people to remember not only Renee’s name, but also the others whose stories are less known.
“You know my wife's name, and you know Alex's (Pretti) name. But there are many others in this city being harmed that you don't know. Their families are hurting just like mine. Even if they don't look like mine, they are neighbours. Friends, coworkers, classmates. And we must also know their names because this shouldn't happen to anyone.”
Through ceremony and dance, Indigenous leaders also showed solidarity with the thousands of Minneapolis residents arrested since the start of Operation Metro Surge.
A representative for the Nahua Tribe, Sam Torres, spoke at the memorial.
“We came here to dance with our relatives, with other spiritual leaders, other indigenous leaders that are seeking to create a moment, a prayer circle, a prayer for them, for our relatives who are being detained in many ways brutally, violently and without due process, consistent due process. And so we're here to offer our prayers of strength and prayers of healing and sustenance.”
The Trump administration's border chief, Tom Homan, announced last week that he would withdraw 700 immigration officers from Minnesota — roughly a quarter of the officers deployed to the state, but did not confirm when the administration would end its crackdown.
Meanwhile, debate over the funding of the Department of Homeland Security ((DHS)) is heating up in the senate.
Democrats have refused to support funding for the DHS unless Republicans agree to a number of reforms to immigration enforcement, including an end to indiscriminate arrests and racial profiling, and a requirement that officers show identification, take off their masks and wear body cameras.
Senator for Delaware Chris Coons said last week the demands are not unusual or extreme.
"In a democracy, the community trusts police when they follow these simple rules. In order to restore trust with federal law enforcement and in order to promote public safety, the demands put forward by Democrats here are really common sense. And we ought to be negotiating in good faith.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has called the Democrats' demands “unrealistic,” while Ohio Senator John Husted is among Republicans calling for an end to 'sanctuary cities,' where certain jurisdictions limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“The number one reform that we need are no more sanctuary cities and to have local leaders cooperate with federal officials. If local leaders arrest somebody for a DUI or drug trafficking, they need to turn them over to ICE rather than just letting them go, which is the practice in places like Minnesota and Minneapolis. And if they did that, ICE wouldn’t need to go do raids. ICE would not need as many administrative actions because there would be this cooperation. That's how it happens in most jurisdictions around the country.”
At the end of January, the two sides agreed to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security ((DHS)) for two weeks while they debated the Democrat's demands to rein in ICE — but this funding agreement only lasts through to February 13.
If an agreement or another temporary arrangement isn't reached by Friday, funding for DHS would lapse, triggering a partial government shutdown.
