Around 300 people gathered near 3 Main Street for Rock This Democracy’s “Rally 4 Renee” on Saturday, January 10.

The protest was held in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman and mother who was killed by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday, January 7.

Newtown residents, along with those from surrounding towns and cities, were encouraged by Rock This Democracy to bring their signs and voices to stand for “justice, safety, and truth” on Saturday afternoon.

It was one of many rallies held across the country within the past week, protesting the incident itself and the federal government’s response to Good’s death.

Rock This Democracy organizer Alex Villamil said he and fellow organizers Jim Allen and Matt Crebbin heard about the shooting and decided it was “immediately necessary for us to protest this unnecessary killing of a mother in Minnesota.

“[We] needed to lend our voices to protest this very unnecessary death of a person who got caught up in the lawlessness that ICE represents,” Villamil added.

Several speakers gave speeches to the crowd of attendees, including Crebbin, Allen, Newtown Action Alliance Co-Ffounder David Stowe, State Senator Julie Kushner, Sheila Cole of Danbury Unites for Immigrants, and Villamil.

On behalf of the other event organizers, Villamil thanked volunteers for supporting the impromptu rally, along with Newtown Police Department for making sure it was a safe event for everyone.

Rock This Democracy is organizing a “Free America Walkout” on the sidewalk in front of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, at 2 pm on Tuesday, January 20. The walkout calls for people to peacefully gather against the “undemocratic abuses of our current government.”

“Free America Walkout” is a protest initiative organized by several groups including the Women’s March and the 50501 movement. Its core message is “A Free America begins the moment we stop cooperating with fascism,” according to Villamil.

“Bring your voice and bring your signs,” Villamil said.

=====

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.