Minnesota women bring babies and toddlers to protests after ICE shootings, sparking safety concerns

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Demonstrations continue in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, and video footage has drawn attention to mothers bringing young children, including babies and toddlers, into protests. Some of the demonstrations have turned violent, raising questions about safety and parental choices amid unrest tied to federal immigration enforcement.

Independent journalists and participants have shared images and accounts on social media, sparking debate about the risks of bringing children into such volatile situations.

Journalists report children present amid unrest

Reporter Cam Higby told Fox News host Jesse Watters that he witnessed numerous small children at the protests.

“I saw lots of toddlers and small children who they brought out to a legitimate riot in the middle of the night with tons of violence,” Higby said, describing the size of the children and noting that fathers were largely absent.

Footage circulating online shows protesters with strollers and toddlers walking alongside demonstrators, often late at night when clashes with law enforcement occurred. Critics have argued that the presence of young children in these conditions is unsafe.

Higby added that some bystanders, including children, have been affected by flash bangs, tear gas, and other law enforcement measures during violent protests. In one recent incident, a father told Fox 9 that his six children were hit by munitions while attending a demonstration in north Minneapolis.

Mother of a young child voices her protest

At one protest, a mother brought her daughter, Lola, explaining that she wanted her child to experience the sense of community and show resistance against intimidation.

“Just to feel the energy of love and community and to show people that I'm not going to let someone else intimidate me to live in a city that doesn't represent what I want it to represent,” she said.

Despite these intentions, online reactions were sharply divided. One post criticized parents for bringing babies to late-night demonstrations, calling it dangerous and irresponsible.

The ongoing protests in Minneapolis continue to highlight tensions between residents and federal immigration enforcement, with the presence of children intensifying debate over safety, responsibility, and parental choices amid civil unrest.