Written by Tanya Terry, with featured photo courtesy of Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR)
On a cold, snowy day, well over 100 people recently gathered at the UM-Flint Ice Rink for a vigil and rally honoring the lives of Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter and all people harmed or killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother who was confronted after she had been advocating for her immigrant friend’s legal status and safety, was shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and died. Just days before, Keith Porter, a 43-year-old father, was confronted by and shot by an off-duty ICE agent in Los Angeles after he fired shots in the air on New Year’s Eve. He also died.
“What we saw in Minneapolis, it follows the deadliest year involving ICE in two decades,” said Alysia Treviño, a coalition member of the Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR).”
She added: “All together, an estimated 36 people lost their lives. So, the vigil was both a moment of rememberance of those people and a demonstration that our community will not accept these outcomes as normal.”
In preparation for the vigil, one task Treviño accepted upon herself was to find photos of each person that died in detention or was shot during ICE operations and died.
“Going through those faces was just one of the hardest things I ever had to do,” Treviño said.
She talked about seing the video of Good.
“It’s the kind of violence we see perpetrated against Black and Brown communities all the time.”
Treviño stated that even though people may think ICE operations and ICE actions are distant, or not affecting the Flint community, “it is absolutely happening in Flint.”
“We hear from people in our coalition that parents are afraid to take their children to school. Students have been just shaking in fear. People who work at food distribution centers are not seeing the people that they normally would. People are afraid to go to their doctors’ appointments….People are not getting their medication or health access. People are not getting the food that is needed so much right now. Children are afraid in school and not getting the education in the same way that they would.
“…I think it deepens fear among the immigrant community and makes people reluctant to engage with police or emergency services, even when they’re victims of a crime.”
Speakers included:
Regina D. Laurie— Racial Healing Practitioner & Community Catalyzer
Amanda LaMielle- PSL Organizer/FAIR Coalition Member/ Legal Observer (NLG)
Alysia Treviño— FAIR Coalition Member
Nayyirah Sharif— Director of Flint Rising and FAIR Coalition Member
Robert White— PSL Organizer & FAIR Coalition Member
Lucine—FAIR Coalition Member
“Each of the speakers had such an important role to play. For example, one of the speakers, Amanda, is a legal observer. She was able to give her thoughts on Renee and read the statement of the Legal Observers’ Guild. That was extremely emotional. That broke me, hearing her emotion, as well.”
Many of those who participated in the rally and vigil were in tears as they held up candles and signs.
“I feel it’s important for people to stand up for our neighbors and our community members that are getting kidnapped by ICE agents,” said one participant.
Another participant told the Courier: “I just want ICE out of here.”
Todd Womack said: “I lived, worked and went to school in Minnesota for about four years. I have friends and family there. So, right after the tragedy that took place, as it relates to the execution of Renee Good, I reached out to my friends to see if they are OK. I just wanted them to know that my thoughts, feelings and prayers are with them in Minnesota. So, being here reminds me of that connection.”
Renee Saba held a sign with many names on it, which all carried emotion for her.
“It’s about all the people and all of us, and it’s our responsibility as Americans and our patriotic duty to keep our government accountable and keep each other accountable,” Saba said. “For me, it’s just about recognizing that all throughout our history as a nation, there has always been a cumulative effect before we really take a lot of action, and I think we’re at a tipping point right now…”
Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR), Party for Socialism & Liberation (PSL) and the Neighborhood Engagement Hub have organized an “ICE Out of Genesee County Community Teach-In and Strategy Session” to take place from 6:30- 8 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Neighborhood Engagement Hub, 3216 Martin Luther King Avenue, in Flint.
