BACKUS, MN - The National Association of Social Workers Minnesota Chapter stands with our community in mourning the violent death that occurred yesterday in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents. When events this horrific occur, it becomes more important than ever to seek truth, justice, and accountability. With that in mind, here is what we know so far:
1.Federal Agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, an unarmed woman, at point blank range yesterday. They then blocked medical professionals from attending to her. She was shot through the driver’s side car window. This means her vehicle was not positioned in a way that would have allowed her to strike the agent who shot her. Put simply, there was no immediate threat to the agent who chose to take her life.
2. There is video footage of the incident that confirms this. While we encourage our communities to make their own decisions about whether they want to view that footage, we do want to emphasize that in times of crisis, relying on primary sources and sharing factual information is an ethical responsibility.
3. Federal agents were on the ground on and around school property at multiple public schools in Minneapolis yesterday and tear gas was deployed on school grounds at at least one school.
The violent incursion of federal agencies into our city is making our clients, our families, and our neighborhoods less safe. Public schools across Minneapolis have closed for the remainder of the week due to safety concerns, and many residents are afraid to leave their homes.
Every Minnesotan deserves to live in a community free from violence and fear. As Social Workers, we have a responsibility to use our power, our skills, and our voices to protect and defend our communities. From the school social workers on the ground this morning working to bring food and resources to impacted communities to the macro social workers occupying the halls of power demanding change, this moment demands more than mourning, we must speak clearly and collectively for systemic change.
While we each must make decisions about what actions feel safe for us in the wake of these horrific events, here are some peaceful actions you can take today to support our city and our community:
1. Many sources are sharing versions of this story that do not reflect the facts of the situation or portray the events truthfully. Do not help this misinformation to spread by sharing it. Truth matters, and we all have an obligation to uphold the truth.
2. Monarca provides upstander training to those looking to participate in peaceful protests:
https://monarcamn.org/training
3. For those local to Minneapolis, you can get involved with teams organizing to protect our neighborhoods and public schools. Take Action Minnesota/Minneapolis Families for Public Schools has provided this Defend 612 form to connect you to teams working in your area of thecity:
defend612.com
4. The impact to community members that have had to experience or witness this violence cannot be overstated. The need for mental health support that is free and accessible to impacted communities is immediate and critical. We are working now to identify the organizations who are spearheading this work. We will share out more resources in the coming days. If you are awareof networks organizing this work, please contact us so that we can share those opportunities with our members.
We call on elected officials, agency leaders, and policymakers to immediately halt harmful enforcement actions, to demand transparency and accountability, and to invest in community-based approaches that prioritize safety and dignity. We urge our members and allies to stand with impacted communities and to advocate for justice. We must work to build communities where safetyis rooted in care, not fear.
From NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C
"NASW mourns the loss of Renee Nicole Good and stands in support of all those affected by this tragedy. This association will continue to advocate for fair and just immigration policies that can help prevent any further violence and loss of life. We stand with the Minnesota community and echo the NASW Minnesota Chapter's call for elected officials, agency leaders, and policymakers to immediately halt harmful immigration enforcement actions, to demand transparency and accountability, and to invest in community-based approaches that prioritize safety and dignity."
Additional NASW Resources
Mass Deportation Policy, Misinformation, and the Tragic Shooting of Renee Nicole Good
Facebook Live - Supporting Immigrant Communities: A Conversation for Social Workers
Navigating ICE Presence in School and Healthcare Facilities
Trump’s use of National Guard to quell Los Angeles immigration protests is unlawful
Trump administration’s immigration executive orders will harm families, children