Two arrested at ICE protest in Albuquerque

Federal authorities arrested two people during a protest Friday afternoon outside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security facility in Albuquerque.

A DHS agent — who would not give his first name but wore the last name Juarez on his uniform — said he did not know where the detained people were being held. The agent did not identify the two but said they would face federal charges.

When asked further questions, the agent urged the Journal to reach out to a DHS spokesperson, who did not return multiple calls for comment.

Dare to Struggle New Mexico organized the protest to demand that ICE agent Jonathon Ross — who fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday — be arrested and charged with murder. The organization also asked for ICE to leave New Mexico, according to a news release the group sent out Friday.

"It is right to rebel against ICE," the news release states. "Smash the mass deportation machine!"

Witnesses said around 12:20 p.m., a scuffle broke out between more than a dozen ICE and DHS agents and several members of the group. Two people were detained after they tried to place protest signs on a fence on DHS property, located in Southeast Albuquerque near the Isleta Amphitheater.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a statement Friday said that she stood with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in requesting a "transparent investigation" from federal authorities of Good's shooting death.

"I also support those raising their voices in protest," Lujan Grisham said. "Protest is fundamental to democracy — it's how we make our government listen when something goes terribly wrong. But protests must remain peaceful."

Snow flurries and low temperatures did little to deter protesters from gathering outside the facility at noon. The group held such signs as "Stop the ICE kidnapping of migrants" and "Melt ICE," along with a wanted poster featuring a photo of Ross that said "Wanted for the execution of a protester in Minneapolis."

Chants and yelling filled the air and shoes with soles painted red to represent blood sat along the street. Organizers said they planned to throw the sneakers over the DHS gates, which did not occur. 

ICE agents began yelling at several protesters who tried to put the signs on the fence, telling them to get off the federal property before shoving and corralling them out of the DHS driveway. At roughly 12:25 p.m., the first protester was arrested by ICE agents and brought into the DHS facility.

Roughly 10 minutes later, over 18 ICE agents — including six who were masked — came out of the facility to stand guard, according to witnesses. Video footage posted on social media showed three agents chase and arrest a person. During the melee, at least one ICE agent was seen using pepper spray on protesters — with a fellow agent appearing to get hit with the spray as well.

Some time later, four Albuquerque Police Department officers and one New Mexico State Police officer arrived to secure the scene and left shortly after.

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.