Austin Protests Intensify as Demonstrators Demand Removal of Federal Agents
Austin, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
Congressman Greg Casar joined 400 demonstrators at Austin City Hall for a third day of protests against ICE, amplifying local demands to remove federal operations following Renee Good’s death.
Rally at City Hall Highlights Growing Tensions
On Saturday, January 10, 2026, approximately 400 demonstrators gathered at Austin City Hall, marking the third consecutive day of protests in the city. Congressman Greg Casar (D-Austin) addressed the crowd, reading a note from the wife of Renee Good, the woman fatally shot by federal agents earlier in the week. Casar urged the community to choose “courage and kindness” despite the tragedy, stating, “There has to be a world where things get better” [1]. The event drew a diverse coalition of residents, including retired city employees and teachers, expressing fears that the government has failed to protect its people [1].
Conflicting Narratives Surround Minneapolis Incident
The unrest stems from the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday, January 7, in Minneapolis [1][2]. While federal officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, have claimed Good attempted to strike an agent with her vehicle, newly surfaced video evidence challenges this narrative [3][4]. The footage reportedly shows Good reversing her vehicle and turning the wheel before an agent is heard yelling “Drive!” shortly before the lethal shots were fired [2]. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the agent, stating he believed his life was in danger [4].
National Pattern Fuels Local Outrage
The events in Minneapolis have resonated deeply in Austin, compounded by reports of a separate incident in Portland, Oregon, on January 8, where federal agents shot and wounded two people [3]. This pattern of force has galvanized local activists; earlier in the week, protesters in Pflugerville gathered outside a Department of Homeland Security facility, with some demonstrators spray-painting the exterior and hanging signs [4]. Protesters argue these incidents represent a systemic issue rather than isolated events, with one local business owner noting, “It’s not like what happened in Minneapolis was some sort of one off unique event” [3].