Indianapolis, Indiana – Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Indianapolis Thursday night, standing together on Monument Circle to demand justice for Renee Nicole Good and call for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city. The protest, part of a series of rallies taking place across the country, followed Good’s death at the hands of an ICE agent in Minneapolis the day before.
From the steps of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, speakers and community leaders addressed the crowd with urgency and passion, emphasizing that the demonstration was about more than immigration policy—it was a call to end what they described as systemic terror. Lindsey Holtgrave of ANSWER Indiana told the crowd, “This is really, truly not about getting illegal immigrants or criminals out of our streets; this is just terror and hate. No, I wouldn’t say we’re scared. I’d say we’re more determined than ever.”
Holtgrave and her organization called for the immediate cessation of mass deportations and the removal of ICE agents from cities nationwide. “ICE needs to get out of our cities,” she said. “We don’t want them here; we don’t want the terror that they bring. We don’t welcome murderers in Indianapolis.” Her remarks highlighted a broader sentiment among protestors who view ICE as an institution that enforces fear rather than justice.
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For some attendees, the protest was personal. Paul Bailey, who joined the demonstration after a longtime coworker was detained by ICE, described the impact on families and individuals. “They’re violating people’s rights. They’re also embarrassing people. Humiliating hard-working, good people by coming to their jobs and coming in with no explanation,” Bailey said, underscoring the human cost of enforcement actions.
Other protestors focused on accountability for the officer involved in Good’s death. Scott Johnson, who stood among the crowd on Monument Circle, said the public must demand consequences for those responsible. “They know they did the wrong thing. Now they are trying to spin it for their base to make it look like ‘Oh, this was a violent woman,’” Johnson said, pointing to what he described as efforts to distort the narrative surrounding the incident.
The atmosphere on Monument Circle was one of solemn remembrance mixed with determined activism. Signs condemning ICE and calls for justice for Good dotted the plaza, while chants echoed through the downtown streets. Organizers said the demonstration was intended to bring national attention to the ongoing use of ICE in cities and the dangers of unchecked authority.
As the protest concluded, participants urged fellow citizens to remain engaged, highlighting the importance of civic action and collective accountability. Many noted that public pressure and community organizing are essential tools in demanding transparency, justice, and policy change. The Indianapolis rally mirrored similar protests in cities across the United States, signaling that the conversation around ICE enforcement and public safety remains a contentious and deeply felt issue.
The demonstration on Thursday night made clear that in Indianapolis, as in other cities, the call for justice for Renee Nicole Good and the push to limit ICE operations continues to resonate strongly among residents and advocacy groups alike.
