AFT President Condemns ICE Actions and Violence in Minnesota Schools

Violent Incident and ICE Activities Spark Outrage in Minnesota

WASHINGTON—In response to recent events in Minnesota, AFT President Randi Weingarten released a statement condemning the violent actions that unfolded, leading to the death of Renee Nicole Good and subsequent operations by ICE agents in educational settings.

Weingarten described the killing of Good as "a reckless, heinous act of violence against an American citizen." She further criticized the actions of ICE officers who, shortly after the incident, engaged in activities that "terrorized schools and communities," including the use of pepper spray on students and the detention of an educator. Weingarten called for ICE to "leave our schools and communities immediately," arguing that their presence is detrimental to safety and contributes to what she termed "military theater" orchestrated by the administration.

Emphasizing the need for accountability, Weingarten stated, "The officer who killed Good must be held accountable." She also urged the Department of Homeland Security and the White House to be transparent about the incident, which was captured on video. According to Weingarten, numerous law enforcement officials have expressed shock over the incident, which she suggests is part of a troubling pattern of ICE-related shootings in recent months.

Weingarten questioned the administration's priorities, asking, "Why can’t this administration focus on working with communities to help them thrive, instead of stoking fear, violence and death?" In light of these events, schools in Minneapolis have been closed as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and families.

The AFT has a significant presence in Minneapolis, with thousands of members actively engaged in the area. Despite high emotions, Weingarten noted that protests have remained nonviolent and highlighted the "palpable" sense of solidarity among participants. She emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "This is a moral moment to come together as Americans around the principle that schools and communities must be safe and welcoming places, not targets for militarized incursions designed to pit us against each other."

AFT Representation

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents a diverse group of 1.8 million individuals, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school-related personnel. Their membership also extends to higher education faculty, professional staff, government employees at various levels, nurses and healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.

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