A group of demonstrators gathered on Thursday to display one message to travelers on I-95 in Palm Coast: ‘FIRE NOEM’. The signs referred to Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. Calls for her firing come after an agent with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) fatally shot a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday. This has led to nationwide protests, including at the Matanzas Woods Parkway I-95 overpass on Thursday afternoon.
The demonstration was described by organizers on-site as a ‘rapid response’ to Wednesday’s shooting. Among the instrumental parties was Flagler 50501, a group of political activists who mostly align themselves with Democratic Party politics and who oppose the presidency of Donald Trump. “We are not afraid to come out and say that this person did not need to die,” said Michaelle Harle, one of the organizers.
The shooting victim, Renée Good, was 37 at the time of her death. Trump administration officials have claimed that she was a domestic terrorist and was intentionally accelerating her vehicle toward ICE agents before being shot three times in the head. Others who’ve watched the footage contend that Good was attempting to drive away, and was fired upon needlessly. This dispute has materialized largely along the dividing line between President Trump’s supporters and detractors.
“If she was there on her own, she was doing it knowingly and willingly,” added Cindy Fox, commenting on the ongoing speculation as to whether or not Good was actively protesting ICE. “And if she did not know and was just caught up in the moment, that’s even sadder and should be more concerning for people on the streets.”
The messaging of the demonstrators on Thursday were met with opposition from many passers-by. Though many drivers appeared to voice their support, it was roughly as common to hear shouts of disapproval, profanities, and middle fingers. An organized counter-protest did not form, and so there was no one on-hand to expand upon their reasons for disagreeing. But fortunately, all proceedings remained safe. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper stopped at one point to assure the demonstrators they were not violating the law, so long as they didn’t block traffic and their signs were not tethered to the chain link fence on the highway overpass.
“There’s some people yelling or shouting obscenities,” added Eric Yonce, a Democratic congressional candidate who was in attendance. “But for the most part, I think people understand this for what it is.” Yonce expressed skepticism for Kristi Noem’s classification of Good as a ‘domestic terrorist’, as investigations into her death remain ongoing and it remains unclear whether she was acting in opposition to ICE.
Please she was an agitator. She was going from one location to the next where ice was blocking traffic and agitating. She was given a command by the ice officer to exit the vehicle and she decided to drive off and hit an ice agent. Look at all the videos you disobey the law you have consequences.
she was not blocking traffic – watch the video befpre osting your lies
You mean frightened American mother… don’t let them convince you that anyone deserves this. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Wake up, only more innoncent deaths to come if we allow this to continue. Dissolve ICE NOW!!!
All you have to do is not insert yourself into law enforcement operations by harassing personnel or worse, assaulting them. Stay home, go to work, do whatever else it is that you have to do and you will be just fine.
“and it remains unclear whether she was acting in opposition to ICE.” Really? She was a member of “ICE Watch,” a group that intentionally interferes with ICE operations, including doxing and harassing agents. If she would have stayed home and took care for her three children instead of inserting herself into LEGAL law enforcement operations she would be alive right now. Instead, she blocked the road with her vehicle and when the agents told her to get out of her car she refused, backed up, and accelerated directly towards an ICE agent a few feet away. It’s on video. That particular agent was recently run over by a “protester” and dragged down the road. He required 30 stitches to repair his wounds. It is a shame she is dead, but she is being egged on by political cowards like Tim Walz who doesn’t care who dies as long as they are a distraction from his own failures and serve as a good political prop to take away from the billions of dollars in taxpayer fraud that occurred right under his nose, with or without his knowledge. Educate yourselves, people.
Firs off,why are they up there making our beautiful 😍 town look like crap with all their BS ?
She brought all this on her self. First she loses 2 of her children from burning them with cigs?Trying to run over ICE? & Y’all want everyone still think she’s an angel ? Nahhhh that demon from hell,was sent bk to hell!God don’t like ugly.
I am not sure what the discussion is about?? I thought everyone knew it is dangerous to drive over ICE……
Bravo to the brave men and women of Flagler 50501, a proud group of American activists reminding us that not everyone living in this unremarkable part of the country is a Trump sycophant. Many of us firmly believe the adage of the German underground in the 1930s: First they came for the protesters, next they will come for you.
Thank you for providing this perspective in an area and culture where reporting and asking questions that do not follow the narrative are quickly shut down. The majority party used to be for fiscal responsibility and accountability-That has vanished and it’s become an unrecognizable spiteful, spinning, chaotic, dangerous space. Those who choose to believe their own eyes rather than politically motivated storytelling clearly see what happened and recognize the attempt to immediately fabricate by DHS and the administration.
Thanks for the photo. Now I know who NOT to vote for in the upcoming election. This viewpoint is not the majority in this area. Folks better pay attention and vote.