Fraser Valley holds candlelight vigil for Renee Good
Local community members and representatives attended to honor Good and express disdain for ICE
Sean McAlindin/Sky-Hi News
Community members of Fraser Valley crowded along the corners of U.S. Highway 40 and Meadow Ridge Road holding candles and expressive signs. They had gathered to honor the life of Renee Good. The 37-year old poet and mother who grew up in Colorado was fatally shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
The several dozen people stood on the corners of the highway at dusk, waving to passing cars and brandishing signs that supported Ms. Good, and railed against the policies and actions of ICE which continue to sew dissent nationwide. They joined the chorus of protestors across the country who took to the streets to express their discontent.
At least 1,000 events across the U.S. were planned for Saturday and Sunday, according to Indivisible, a progressive grassroots coalition of activists helping coordinate the movement.
The incident quickly became an inflection point for the county as lawmakers demanded a range of actions, from a full investigation into Renee Good’s shooting death and policy changes over law enforcement raids, to the defunding of ICE operations and the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has defended Mr. Ross’ actions as self-defense while cutting the state of Minnesota out of the investigation.
Community members voice their concerns
During the event, some of those in attendance expressed their reasons for joining the vigil with Sky-Hi News.
“I don’t want to see ICE on the streets,” Fraser resident Mary Riedel said, as car horns blared in the background. “We want to make our voices heard.”
She stood with her husband, John Riedel, who echoed her sentiments.
“I’m watching my country, my democracy being taken, and have for some years, so I’m here just to make sure more and more people are as disgusted as I am that we have a strongman in the White House who is trying to takes our livelihoods and our democracy away, and I’ll be darned if I’m going to sit back and it happen,” he said. “This came together in short notice, and we’ve had more honking cars that we ever had before. To me, it seems like more people are waking up.”
Several local representatives including East Grand school board member Karissa Gagnon, Grand County Democratic Party Chair Liz Newsom and House District 13 candidate Chris Floyd were also in attendance.
Floyd traveled from Leadville to be at the event in person.
“It’s incredibly important for our communities to realize that we need all to be together in the things that we’re working towards, and that division does nothing good for us. We also need to hold our federal officials accountable to ensure that they are acting lawfully and they protect the citizens that they are sworn to protect,” Floyd said.
-
Sean McAlindin/Sky-Hi News
-
Protestors gathered to protest ICE and honor the life of Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Fraser.
Sean McAlindin/Sky-Hi News
-
Protestors gathered to protest ICE and honor the life of Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Fraser.
Sean McAlindin/Sky-Hi News
-
-
Protestors gathered to protest ICE and honor the life of Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Fraser.
Sean McAlindin/Sky-Hi News
-
Protestors gathered to protest ICE and honor the life of Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Fraser.
Sean McAlindin/Sky-Hi News
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.
Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.
If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.