Anti-ICE protesters display ‘Nuremberg Trials II’ sign as clashes grow at Whipple Federal Building

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Protests against federal immigration enforcement escalated in Minneapolis this week following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, with tensions peaking outside the Whipple Federal Building. Demonstrations have grown louder and more confrontational as residents demand accountability from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Good, 37, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during a confrontation earlier this month. Federal authorities have said the shooting was an act of self-defense, claiming Good used her SUV in a threatening manner. Protesters have rejected that account, calling the killing unjustified and pushing for an independent investigation.

As demonstrations spread across the city, graffiti, posters, and signs have appeared near federal property. One sign in particular drew sharp attention during clashes at the Whipple Federal Building, further inflaming already volatile scenes.

‘Nuremberg Trials II’ sign draws attention during Whipple Federal Building protest

During an anti-ICE protest outside the Whipple Federal Building, demonstrators were seen holding a sign reading “Nuremberg Trials II ELECTRIC BOOGALOO.” The message compared the actions of federal immigration officers to crimes prosecuted during the historic Nuremberg Trials after World War II.

By invoking “Nuremberg Trials II,” protesters signaled their belief that government officials and agents should face personal accountability for alleged human rights violations. The reference suggested that responsibility should fall on individuals, not just institutions, for actions taken under government authority.

The original Nuremberg Trials, followed by a series of subsequent trials between 1946 and 1949, prosecuted Nazi officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Those proceedings established the principle that following orders does not excuse unlawful conduct, a theme protesters said applies to modern immigration enforcement. 

What sparked tensions at the Whipple Federal Building?

Tensions surrounding the Whipple Federal Building escalated after Good’s death, with protesters disputing official claims that the shooting was justified. Demonstrators have argued that the use of deadly force was excessive and unnecessary, demanding transparency and accountability from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.

Videos circulating online showed confrontations between protesters and federal agents, including the use of tear gas and pepper spray. Footage of physical scuffles and chemical agents deployed against crowds further fueled public outrage, drawing larger groups to the protests.

Federal authorities have significantly increased their presence in Minnesota in response to the unrest. More than 2,400 ICE and Department of Homeland Security agents were previously deployed to the state, with hundreds more ordered in as protests continued to grow following Good’s killing.