Over 1,200 Rally in Palm Springs Against ICE Enforcement

More than 1,200 people gathered on the steps of the Palm Springs courthouse Sunday morning to protest federal immigration enforcement, one of three rallies held across the Coachella Valley as part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations.

The "ICE Out For Good" rally came days after the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen fatally shot by an ICE agent during a federal enforcement action in Minneapolis on January 8th. Good's death has sparked protests across the country, with federal officials and local leaders offering differing accounts of what happened. Organizers with Indivisible of the Desert and Courageous Resistance put Sunday's Palm Springs event together in just two days.

Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto addressed the crowd, speaking about Good's death. "We are here today to honor, to respect, to mourn the memory of Renee Nicole Good—a woman who showed up when her neighbors were targeted," Soto said. "For that bravery, for that incredible moment, that split decision of bravery, she was murdered."

Demonstrators called for accountability, policy changes, and an end to enforcement actions they say put lives at risk.

"People are angry that this is even happening in a country that we love," said Emily Vogt, an event co-coordinator. "When we come together like this, we don't feel so isolated and we know we're not alone. It empowers people to go out and get involved."

Indivisible of the Desert said the rally had no incidents—the eighth consecutive protest the group has organized without any problems. Through donations collected at the event, organizers said they will send $5,000 to TODEC, a legal organization that supports immigrants and their families in the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire.