Dozens of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were held across the United States on Saturday after two separate shootings by federal immigration officials earlier in the week.
On Wednesday, an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three in Minneapolis. On Thursday, another agent shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has alleged that the victim, Renee Good, was attempting to run over law enforcement officers when an ICE officer fatally shot her on Wednesday morning. However, some eyewitnesses said she appeared to be driving away when the shooting occurred, according to U.S. media.
More than 100 protesters gathered in front of the White House on a rainy Saturday, speaking out against the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement operations.
"Frightening, we deserve to live peacefully, safely, without being frightened," said Amy Taylor, a protester.
Anti-ICE demonstrations also played out in several major American cities on Saturday, including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Portland and Seattle.
In Minneapolis, tens of thousands of protesters rallied, local police said. The demonstrators clashed with law enforcement officers, and around 30 people were arrested.
According to immigration and civil rights groups, more than 1,000 protests were planned across the U.S. over the weekend.
Protests erupt across US over ICE shootings
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
