Members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation protested outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in downtown Fresno Thursday evening before marching through the streets.

The protest began at 8 p.m. outside the ICE office, where demonstrators gathered for speeches criticizing immigration enforcement and U.S. government policies. After the speeches, protesters took off on their march, chanting slogans and carrying signs.

The protest was organized in response to the death of Renee Nicole Good. The 37-year-old mother of three was killed during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

During the protest, one person set an item on fire. The individual remained near the flames and did not continue marching with the rest of the demonstrators.

The Fresno Police Department said that there were no arrests made during the protest.

Princess Rios, a local community organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said the protest was organized beginning the day before and drew an estimated 100 people, with more people arriving throughout the evening.

“We were able to organize with our communities and show that kind of support and do the boring work to make sure that fascism can no longer seep into our nation and into our town,” Rios said. She said the demonstration was intended to mobilize community members and encourage continued organizing beyond the protest.

Speakers Connect Immigration to US Foreign Policy

Several speakers connected immigration enforcement to broader global conflicts and U.S. foreign policy. Randy, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation who declined to provide his last name, said immigration raids and displacement are linked to U.S. actions abroad.

“U.S. imperialism creates crisis,” Randy said. “It plunders nations, overthrows governments, and strangles economies with sanctions to force regime change. And what is the result? The result is the very displacement, the very desperation that forces families to flee north.” 

The protest also included a poem read by Tino Rayos dedicated to Renee Nicole Good. Rayos described fear among immigrant communities and criticized immigration enforcement practices, calling for changes to immigration laws and the reunification of families separated by detention.

Local Photojournalist Taken to Hospital

Around 7:15 p.m., a KSEE24 photojournalist was struck by a vehicle in downtown Fresno. Cameraman Jesus Garcia was hit by a white Chevrolet near the intersection of Tulare Street and Van Ness Avenue. 

Motorcycle police officers who were already on the scene directed protesters and pedestrians out of the street and onto the sidewalk to create space following the incident. Organizers of the march told protesters who wished to continue marching to proceed, while several people remained at the scene to wait for an ambulance.

Garcia was taken away by ambulance. The outlet reported that Garcia sustained minor injuries and that the incident was not connected to the protest. 

Gloria La Riva, a Peace and Freedom Party activist who traveled from San Francisco to attend the protest, said Central Valley cities such as Fresno are particularly affected by immigration enforcement because of their large immigrant populations.

“Fresno is definitely a targeted city,” La Riva said. “California is an immigrant state.”

Rios said several local organizations were connected to the protest and that additional actions may take place in the coming days. She cited groups including Central Valley Community Action, Peace Fresno and Raza Against War, which she said offer volunteer opportunities and community support.

No arrests from the protest were reported.