KSHB 41 News reporter Braden Bates covers parts of Jackson County, Missouri, including Lee's Summit. Send Braden a story idea by e-mail.
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Around 1,000 Kansas City community members gathered to host a vigil and a peaceful protest at Mill Creek Park on Saturday, Jan. 10.
The vigil and protest came days after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
The gathering was a vigil for all victims of ICE and a demonstration against the government agency. At the protest, people held signs that read "Melt ICE" and "Justice for Renee."
Demonstrators led chants that said, "No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome," which was met with several passerbys honking as they drove toward the Plaza.
Walter Michner was protesting. He said every Saturday, he sets up at Mill Creek Park to protest, but this Saturday felt different.
"It gives me hope for hope," Michner said.
Several local organizations participated in the event led by Boots on the Ground Midwest.
Nancy Mays is a member of Boots on the Ground Midwest and said while Good's death was the latest, the vigil represents numerous deaths, including those that aren't physical.
"Her death needs to be thought of in the broader context of all of the deaths that have happened with ICE," Mays said. "That mean like death of families that have been ripped apart. Death of dreams and hopes, so we’re here to kind of mourn all of that."
Good’s death sparked division across the country as videos spread online. The question of whether or not the shooting was justified is still being debated.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting.
On Jan. 8, Vice President JD Vance spoke to the media about the events that took place in Minneapolis.
He said Good's choice to move her car toward law enforcement officers was a threatening act.
"I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it's a tragedy of her own making," Vance said.
On the same day, KSHB 41 spoke with a former law enforcement agent who has led trainings in use of force and firearms for both Kansas and Missouri agencies.
His expertise led him to draw a similar conclusion to Vance, that the shooting was justified.
"He had to make a split-second decision to protect himself," Charles Stephenson said.
At the peaceful protest, demonstrators said the actions of the ICE agent were violent and unjustified.
"When I saw what happened this week, it was heartbreaking to me," said protester Ron Griffin. "Somebody that was a peaceful protester, having a gun pulled on them, being shot in the face, is beyond the pale of what’s acceptable in this country."
He said while this sets the United States back, he still has faith in the country.
"I have not lost all faith in our country," Griffin said. "We can pull this back, but we need people to wake up and see what’s going on and start choosing the Constitution and the country over their party."
The vigil and peaceful protest lasted several hours, with some demonstrations starting before 11 a.m. on Jan. 10.
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