Montreal Demonstration Stands Against U.S. ICE Violence and State Repression
A significant protest is scheduled to take place in downtown Montreal this Sunday afternoon, organized in direct opposition to the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstration will begin at 1 p.m. in front of the U.S. Consulate located at 1134 Ste-Catherine St. W. before proceeding to Dorchester Square, where it will continue until approximately 3 p.m.
Solidarity with Minneapolis Resistance Movement
The Montreal protest has been organized by local resident Michael Lipset, a 38-year-old education professional who was born in Minneapolis and lived there for 27 years. Lipset is collaborating with the Immigrant Workers Centre and Indivisible Québec to coordinate the event. "I felt I wanted to get involved locally in order to make sure there was a response to the Trump violence," Lipset explained. "Who better than someone from Minnesota?"
The demonstration comes in response to escalating tensions involving federal immigration enforcement in the United States since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term. Two particularly tragic incidents in Minneapolis have sparked widespread outrage and protest:
- The fatal shooting of Renée Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, on January 7, 2026
- The killing of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis ICU nurse, on January 24, 2026
Lipset noted the profound personal connection to these events, revealing that Good was killed just four blocks from where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police in 2020, and only a mile or two from where he previously lived. He has also parked in the same Minneapolis parking lot where Pretti was killed.
Peaceful Protest with Clear Objectives
According to the Facebook post promoting the event, organizers emphasize that this will be a peaceful, lawful demonstration. "We're showing up in Montreal in solidarity with Minneapolis resistance and in opposition to ICE violence and the broader machinery of state repression," the statement reads.
The protest guidelines specifically note: "This is a peaceful, lawful demonstration. We're here to stand firm, not to harm. We keep each other safe: don't block entrances and keep the sidewalk moving so families, elders and everyone can remain comfortable."
Canadian Connections to ICE Operations
Beyond expressing solidarity with American protesters, the Montreal demonstration aims to highlight Canadian involvement in ICE-related activities. Lipset pointed out that Quebec companies have been implicated through contractual relationships with ICE. "We also know there are Quebec companies who are complicit by taking ICE contracts and sending tools to ICE officers," he stated.
Specifically, ICE has contracted with Canadian defence manufacturer Roshel Defence Solutions to purchase armed vehicles intended for use by immigration enforcement agents. This revelation has prompted increased scrutiny of Canada's role in supporting U.S. immigration enforcement operations.
Legislative Context and Broader Implications
The protest occurs against the backdrop of pending Canadian legislation that could affect arms exports to the United States. Parliament is expected to vote at the end of February on Bill C-233, which aims to close loopholes in arms export laws that currently allow shipping through the U.S.
The demonstration will feature several speakers addressing various aspects of immigration enforcement, state violence, and international solidarity. Organizers hope the event will raise awareness about both the immediate tragedies in Minneapolis and the broader systemic issues surrounding immigration enforcement policies.
As tensions continue to escalate around immigration enforcement in North America, this Montreal protest represents a significant expression of cross-border solidarity and resistance to policies that protesters characterize as state-sponsored violence and repression.
