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Hundreds protest death of Renee Good; streets close in downtown Denver

Those hoping to enjoy a dinner on 16th Street or drinks by Union Station were interrupted Friday night by a legion of people marching and chanting throughout downtown Denver.

Hundreds of demonstrators, many holding signs featuring photos and slogans criticizing Donald Trump’s presidential administration and his immigration enforcement policy, marched, chanted and played music in protest of the death of Renee Good, 37, earlier this week.

Good, a mother of three and formerly of Colorado Springs, was fatally shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on Wednesday while driving her SUV.

The details of the incident are disputed. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials described the shooting as self-defense. They alleged that Good’s vehicle was blocking agents and that she attempted to run over officers. Noem called her actions “domestic terrorism.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison disputed the federal narrative. Frey called the account “bulls***” and alleged Ross “recklessly” used force. Ellison has said he believes the video evidence shows an “escalation by the officers” and that Good was trying to evade, not attack.

Video footage shows Good’s SUV stopped sideways in the street. Agents approached the vehicle, one of whom attempted to open the driver’s side door. As the SUV moved forward, Ross, standing near the front of the car, fired at least two shots into the vehicle. The SUV then traveled a short distance before crashing into a parked car, where Good was found with a gunshot wound to the head. 

Amid below-freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, the protesters gathered at the state Capitol at 6 p.m. Friday. They stopped traffic on Lincoln Street around 6:15 p.m., and about 45 minutes later, they began marching.

A person holds up a homemade sign with a neon sign in the background
A person holds up a sign in support of Renee Good in front of Denver’s Union Station during a protest in support of Good on Jan. 9, 2026. (Michael Braithwaite / The Denver Gazette)

“I won’t stand for it,” said Joelle Rhodes while marching down 16th Street, talking about ICE’s deployment in several U.S. cities. “I’ll be out here until they go the (expletive) away.”

Rhodes said that she works in the legal field and had seen ICE facilities in person, describing it as an “awful” experience that added to her motivation to march.

“I hope that people educate themselves, maybe pick up a book and read it, and they start showing up for their community and their community members,” Rhodes added.

Michael Boin said his motivation to join the protest stemmed from the outrage he felt hearing the news of Good’s death.

“I am outraged that ICE murdered a U.S. citizen two days ago and our government is denying any responsibility,” Boin said. “Our civil liberties are being slowly curtailed and what has been a democracy is now becoming an authoritarian country.”

He added that the hundreds protesting represent thousands more.

A large group of people marching down a street lined by string lights
Demonstrators march down 16th Street in Denver during a protest in support of Renee Good. (Michael Braithwaite / The Denver Gazette)

After walking down 16th Street, the demonstrators turned right down Wynkoop Avenue before stopping in front of Union Station. After several minutes of speeches, the group turned down 17th Street and marched back to the Capitol.

A large group of people gathers
Demonstrators gather outside the Capitol building in downtown Denver on Friday in support of Renee Good. (Michael Braithwaite / The Denver Gazette)

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