Tragic on Multiple Fronts

The death of a lady in Minneapolis recently who was apparently a key part of a protest against a federal law enforcement agency tasked with enforcing immigration law has brought strong emotions from various people - after all, a lady did lose her life.  Lawmakers who do not wish for the law to be enforced have decried the incident, denigrated the ICE officer who shot her, and set the lady up as a victim and a hero.  It is appropriate to mourn the dead and to pray for her family, as well as to pray for law enforcement and an end to hostility.  The Bible grants special authority to those who are attempting to enforce the law, and in the case of strong immigration policy, it has become increasingly difficult for officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to do their jobs.  But, they have a God-given role, according to Romans 13:
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

So, how do we respond?  Prayer is certainly a start.  And, we can allow the Scriptures to shape our attitudes.  The lady in Minneapolis who lost her life is named Renee Good.  She was apparently a key figure in a protest, attempting to prevent ICE from doing its job.  She was in an SUV and as the vehicle began to move, she was shot three times by an ICE agent - there are reports that he was also injured in the incident. The Christian Post reported that Director of Homeland Security Kristi Noem "said in a press conference that Good stalked ICE agents throughout the day, refused to exit her vehicle when ordered, and nearly ran over one of the officers at the scene. The ICE officer struck by Good’s vehicle had previously been injured in a separate vehicular attack in June."  The article also noted:

Videos of the shooting have been circulated online. One clip showed the ICE agent trying to step to the side of the SUV and firing as the vehicle pulled forward and appeared to clip him. Another angle, showing the front of the SUV, captured the agent being struck as the car pulled forward.

A third video, obtained by CNN, showed the vehicle motionless and positioned sideways in the road for several minutes before the shooting.

Cellphone video that appears to have been recorded by the officer who shot Good shows the moments that led up to the shooting. A woman identified as Good’s same-sex spouse, Rebecca, is seen in the video standing beside the SUV and taunting the agent as he circles the vehicle.
 
Another agent approached the driver's door, and Good was ordered to get out of the car as the agents were looking to arrest her. Good is shown backing the car up and then going forward. The footage indicates that the agent positioned in front of the car was knocked backward, with shots being heard right after, but not seen in the footage.

I have to admit, there is certainly some confirmation bias at play here.  A person's political persuasion may determine how he or she responds.  But, I think you can make the case that you had a situation that was a protest situation that intensified, resulting in death. The father of Renee Good's late husband spoke out, according to FoxNews.com, which said:

Timmy Macklin told CNN that the shooting was a "hard situation all around," adding that he believes "some bad choices" were made.

"I don't blame ICE. I don't blame [Good's wife] Rebecca. I don't blame Renee," he said. "I just wish that, you know, if we're walking in the spirit of God, I don't think she would have been there. That's the way I look at it."

Macklin went on to say, "I just think we make bad choices, and that's the problem, there is so much chaos in the whole world today...We need to turn to God and walk in the spirit of God and let him lead us and guide us."  The article added: "'You know, in a flash like that, it's hard to say how you'd react,' he said, adding that he heard the agent may have been dragged by a vehicle in a previous incident."  The article added, "Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to Fox News that the ICE agent suffered internal bleeding to his torso when he was struck by the vehicle."

But, we certainly need to consider how we respond to authority.  All of us.  Franklin Graham was quoted in that Christian Post article; he is quoted as saying:

"Have you seen the reports of protesters — or paid agitators — chanting unbelievable things like, 'Save a life, kill ICE!' or 'Kristi Noem will hang'?" Graham, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, asked his 11 million Facebook followers. "The protests we see across the country right now are underpinned by the radical socialist left, whose goal is to make the United States like Venezuela, ultimately destroying the America we know."

The article also quotes Graham, who wrote: "It is tragic that Renee Good was killed in Minneapolis yesterday. Pray for her family and loved ones,” adding, "This incident serves as a strong reminder that everyone needs to obey law enforcement. If they tell you to raise your hands, raise your hands; if they tell you to get out of the car, get out of the car. Argue with them in court and let a judge decide who is right or wrong, but you should not take a chance of getting hurt."

Faith Radio programmer Jeff Schreve wrote on X: "We need to pray for our LEO and our ICE agents in MN as they enforce the laws of our country and face fierce opposition from liberal protestors who always play the victim and yet start the altercations."  

An X summary last Friday stated: 'Tensions in Minneapolis boiled over after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot U.S. citizen Good on January 7 during a raid; federal officials say she rammed their vehicle, but her family calls it overreach. Protests escalated into riots, including arrests like Latin Kings member Raul Gutierrez for stealing FBI gear, prompting FBI Director Kash Patel to probe organizers and President Trump to threaten invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act. Elon Musk joined calls for the move, while Governor Walz and Mayor Frey blame federal operations and seek de-escalation amid ongoing clashes through January 16."

Emotions are running high, especially in the Twin Cities.  The issue of immigration has become weaponized and has divided Americans, aided by agitators who are not opposed to committing violent acts.  

But, lawlessness is not the way of Christ. There are laws that make immigration to this country illegal if one does not follow the law.  While each immigrant is a person made in the image of God, you still have to hold that view that he or she has committed an illegal act, and there are consequences.  A sovereign nation cannot survive when it allows people to come into the country, take advantage of services that are reserved for citizens of that country, and especially those who add to that by committing crimes against Americans. And, as border czar Tom Homan has said, the priority is to apprehend and deport those who have committed additional criminal acts.

The ability to petition our government is one of the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Peaceful protest can be an effective tool to making voices heard and reaching the hearts and minds of people in authority and shifting public opinion. 

This Friday, hundreds of thousands of people who believe in the sanctity of human life will gather in Washington to engage in the March for Life.  That has been very influential throughout the years, as people call for an end to abortion - I believe God has used this event to bring about the fall of Roe v. Wade and to show public opinion on abortion policy. Yesterday, the nation observed the birthday of civil rights leader, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., who embraced a philosophy of non-violence in calling for people to be treated fairly in the laws of our nation.  And, of course, Jesus died an especially violent death - but did not attempt to rally his followers to engage in violence.  

We can speak boldly and Biblically, with our actions always bathed in prayer.  We are not called to silence, by any means.  And, the violent, the "squeaky wheels," if you will, the ones who get the "grease," or the attention, the media coverage - can contribute to a warped view of the validity of and support for their positions.  We must not be deceived to act inappropriately or intimidated into silence, because we represent the Lord and His truth.