Timberwolves coach Finch gives his opinion on ICE shooting of Renee Good

In a heartfelt moment before Thursday night’s home game, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch spoke to the media and the crowd about the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old mother of young children who was shot in the face and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this week in Minneapolis.

Good’s death on Wednesday morning occurred in south Minneapolis, just a few blocks away from the scene of George Floyd’s death, as well as short distance from Target Center, where the Timberwolves play.

Footage and accounts of the encounter have stirred deep emotions across the city and beyond, as residents and activists call for clarity and justice in what was evidently a clearly avoidable loss of life.

Finch’s words came during a pregame ceremony that included a minute of silence, with players from both teams standing at the centre of the court in a quiet moment of reflection before one fan shouted “Go home ICE” which was followed by screams of “Fuck ICE” and huge applause from the crowd.

The gesture reflected mounting public concern over reckless federal enforcement tactics and the broader national conversation about the repeatedly excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies across the United States at the direction of Donald Trump and his authoritarian regime.

“Our community has suffered yet another unspeakable tragedy”

“As we all know, our community has suffered yet another unspeakable tragedy,” Finch said ahead of the game. “We want to just convey our condolences and heartfelt wishes and prayers and thoughts to the families and loved ones and all of those that are greatly affected by what happened.”

Good’s death has ignited protests throughout the Twin Cities area and across the US, with local leaders, civil rights advocates and elected officials urging thorough investigations and a removal of the strong ICE presence in the state.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have both emphasised the need for accountability, with the former choosing not to mince his words: “Get the fuck out of Minneapolis. I’ll say it again, is bullshit. That is bullshit. The way that they’ve been conducting themselves is also bullshit, and we need to be very clear-eyed about what is happening."

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“They are not here to cause safety in this city,” he added. “What they are doing is not to provide safety in America. What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust.

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