Hundreds protest in Tri-Cities after deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis

A passionate group braved chilly temperatures Saturday to protest President Trump and federal immigration efforts in the wake of a Minnesota mother’s death this week.

Several hundred demonstrators lined both sides of Columbia Center Boulevard near the mall starting at 11 a.m., waving signs and shouting to passing drivers.

The peaceful “ICE Out For Good” weekend of action was organized by Indivisible Tri-Cities, the local chapter of a larger left-leaning group.

“This is because of what happened back in Minnesota,” said Army veteran Sarah Long of Kennewick. “This is untenable and such a sad thing that had to happen to bring it to this.”

Jim Juklinski, 83, a Vietnam veteran from Kennewick, also joined the protest. “The country has been eroded so much that we have to get out here and be part of it, or we are just going to go down the tubes here,” he said.

“We are supporting the cause,” said Heather Constance of Richland, who was with her daughter, Autum, 8. “The events that have happened over the last year are just ridiculous, and it needs to stop.”

Angela Ramos of Kennewick also brought her son Jacob, 11. “I have children and the shape the country is going in is scary. My children deserve an education and not deportation and that’s why we are here. I feel like we are going in the wrong direction for the future of our children.”

A few counter-protesters drove past the group on Saturday, revving their engines, blowing diesel smoke in the faces of demonstrators and making obscene hand gestures.

Demonstration and protests have erupted nationwide since an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed a Minneapolis woman in her car during an enforcement operation.

Federal agents also shot and injured two people Thursday with alleged gang connections in Portland. The Trump administration has defended the officers’ use of force in both instances.

Tri-Cities freelance photographer Scott Hunt contributed to this report.

This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 4:03 PM.