As protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions took place this weekend across the nation, about 1,600 people participated in an “ICE Out For Good” demonstration Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh’s South Side, matched by smaller gatherings in Westmoreland and Washington counties.
Pittsburgh protesters gathered near the Hot Metal Bridge and marched to Pittsburgh’s ICE headquarters on Sidney Street, where leaders read the names of people detained in the city, as well as those who died in ICE detention and during its operations.
Protests were held in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by a U.S. ICE agent Wednesday.
Federal authorities said the fatal shooting of Good, a U.S. citizen, was a justified act of self-defense. Minnesota leaders and others say otherwise and called it avoidable.
The Pittsburgh protest was co-organized by Pittsburgh Women for Democracy director Megan Guidi and Indivisible Pittsburgh director Tracy Baton. They handed out about 300 whistles and encouraged people to make noise when they see trouble.
Organizers also encouraged people to reach out to their local legislators and have difficult conversations with family members as part of their calls to action.
“We are stronger together,” said Baton, who commended Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor for his stance against ICE cooperation.
Other protest speakers
Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman of Congregation Beth Shalom has been in front of ICE headquarters multiple times, including Friday morning prayer vigils.
He noted the burning of a historic Mississippi synagogue that took place early Saturday morning before getting into government actions and ICE’s apprehension tactics, calling agents thugs. Goodman said he was inspired by Sunday’s turnout.
“This is the biggest crowd I’ve every seen for this,” he said. “It’s a shame that the reason we had to have a big crowd for this is because a woman got murdered for doing nothing other than trying to be a legal advocate and a watcher for ICE doing the terrible things that they’ve been doing in this country for the last several years. We hope that the larger turnouts will result in actions from our legislators, and the larger turnouts will change things for the better and for the good (of) the people in this country. Immigrants and citizens alike.”
Miracle Jones of Allentown, director of legislative affairs for 1 Hood Power, talked about how people need to stand up for one another despite differences.
“Just because I want you to have a living wage doesn’t mean I want to hang out with you when you spend your money,” Jones said. “Just because I want you to be able to pay your phone bill does not mean I want you to call me. I’m not here to be friends and to kick it. I’m here to fight for liberation.
“I’m here to make sure that when you exercise your first amendment right, you’re not shot in your car. I’m here to make sure that when you exercise your first amendment right you’re not deported. You’re not arrested. You’re not detained. You’re not harassed. You’re not docked. That’s why I’m here.”
Many participants held signs showcasing their displeasure with the federal agency and government in general.
Those messages included “De-ICE this machine,” “ICE in my coffee, not in my streets,” “Justice for Renee Good” and “Got due process?”
Tegan Fuller of Brookline let her outfit do the talking.
Fuller, a veterinarian, came dressed as a dumpster fire with ICE, Venezuela, health care, Renee Good and mass shootings written on the cardboard flames. The green “dumpster” had Trump’s name on the front.
“This is my Halloween costume because 2025 was a dumpster fire and then 2026 happened,” Fuller said. “I figure, we need to hold Trump accountable. We’re in a dumpster fire, man. I’m sad. … We’re on the brink of World War III and people need to be very clear about that.”
Members of the MayDay Marching Band, an inclusive community-based band in Pittsburgh, provided music and helped keep energy high.
Dani, who declined to give his last name, is one of the band’s brass instrument players.
“Protests need joy,” Dani said.
Police presence
Pittsburgh police blocked the Hot Metal Bridge at the start of the protest and worked traffic control during the march to ensure pedestrian and driver safety. The event began around 2 p.m. and ended around 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Eliza Durham said no arrests were made and the protests went as planned.
Baton also noted the city’s support and need to keep any demonstrations peaceful.
“Pittsburgh police step up immediately to keep us safe,” she said. “They know that they work for the people of Pittsburgh, and the people of Pittsburgh want to protect our neighbors. As long as the people of Pittsburgh make our intentions clear, we don’t have any problems from the Pittsburgh police.”
Republican response
The City of Pittsburgh Republican Committee weighed in on the protest Sunday evening.
“Our committee is pleased that the gathering remained peaceful and orderly, with no injuries or confrontations involving the Pittsburgh police, who were present to oversee the event. We thank those officers for their commitment to keeping our neighbors safe,” said committee chair Todd McCollum, a retired Pittsburgh police officer. “Although the protest was promoted as an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstration, video evidence shows participants expressing a range of concerns. Our committee continues to affirm that the laws currently enforced by ICE are longstanding and being applied according to existing statutes.
“We join our neighbors in mourning the death of Renee Good, and we also recognize the important role of federal law enforcement in upholding public safety. It is unlikely that today’s events in Pittsburgh significantly shifted anyone’s views, but we respect the participants’ constitutional right to assemble. While we strongly oppose Mayor Corey O’Connor and Pittsburgh City Council’s refusal to cooperate with ICE, we acknowledge and appreciate that they did not gaslight protesters or embolden behavior that might have led to confrontation with law enforcement.”
Similar protests took place in Westmoreland and Washington counties.
In Greensburg, around 300 turned gathered near the Westmoreland County Courthouse, according to protest organizers WTF Can I Do Westmoreland. The killing of Good in Minneapolis “should alarm all Americans, regardless of political ideology,” said Abby E. Graham-Pardus, a member of the group. “Our Constitution and its freedoms should be valued, and carry more weight than any administration.”
Sharon Laffey, organizer of the ICE Out For Good protest in Washington County, told TribLive news partner WTAE at least 100 people came out in response to Good’s death.
“It was unlawful, it was illegal, it was a murder. And we’re saying enough is enough,” Laffey said. “We’re here for justice for Renee Good, who was just trying to drive her car away. It’s unbelievable that things like this are happening in the United States.”
