On January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, 37-year-old Renée Nicole Good—a poet, mother of three, and U.S. citizen—was fatally shot by an ICE agent. Her death, ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, triggered national condemnation and local grief. In the days that followed, Cascade Forward demanded a statement from Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp, noting that the representative responded quietly via her own website—omitting mainstream social platforms—and only twenty minutes before a planned protest. The ensuing tension highlighted broader questions about accountability and visibility for marginalized communities.

Renée Good’s death stemmed from a confrontation with ICE agents who had arrived in the neighborhood as part of a large-scale enforcement operation. Officials alleged self-defense, asserting that Good attempted to use her vehicle against law enforcement—a claim contradicted by video evidence and local leaders. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, among others, rejected that narrative outright. Good’s passing sparked protests across major U.S. cities and intensified scrutiny of ICE tactics and federal oversight—or the lack thereof.

What Happened
On January 7 at approximately 9:37 a.m., ICE agent Jonathan Ross fired three bullets into Good’s vehicle as she attempted to pull away. The Medical Examiner reported multiple gunshot wounds to her chest, forearm, and head. Authorities claimed she tried to “weaponize her vehicle,” but video evidence raised significant doubts about that account. Mayor Frey condemned the justification as unfounded, while the Department of Homeland Security persisted in its framing of Good’s actions.

For many in Minneapolis and beyond, Good was not a protester but rather a neighborhood legal observer, participating in informal community vigilance. She had previously been described by her partner and family as compassionate and non-violent. Her wife famously remarked, “We had whistles. They had guns.” The shooting reignited nationwide debates over ICE’s use of force and the protection of constitutional rights.

Why It Matters Locally
Though the tragedy unfolded in Minneapolis, its reverberations extend to Cowlitz County. The question asked by Cascade Forward—“Where is Marie?”—reflects a demand for local representation to respond to federal abuses of power, regardless of geography. It underscores that immigrant communities—and those who advocate for them—are part of Longview and Kelso’s social fabric and deserve recognition and protection.

Marie Gluesenkamp, our local representative, has been called to account not for her political affiliation, but for the transparency of her communication. Cascade Forward’s protest was not partisan—it was civic. Their demand was simple: constituents—especially those most vulnerable—deserve timely acknowledgement and policy engagement. They noted that while Gluesenkamp was swift to publicly mourn the shooting of a conservative figure (Charlie Kirk), she remained silent on Good’s death until a near-private forum prompted a statement. That discrepancy, they argue, speaks to whose lives are deemed worthy of urgency and empathy.

At the protest, organizers learned Gluesenkamp had posted a response just twenty minutes before the demonstration began. The statement appeared only on her official website—not on Facebook, X, or other social media—limiting visibility. This selective communication raised skepticism about whether the response was intended to fulfill procedural obligation rather than foster inclusive dialogue.

What Comes Next
Cascade Forward has signaled that this issue is not settled. They recognize the statement as a step—albeit a small one—and plan to monitor further engagement. The movement’s message to their representative is clear: if Gluesenkamp hopes to continue serving, she must actively and visibly respond to all constituents’ concerns—not just the politically expedient ones.

For Columbia Countercurrent readers: as our region grapples with national issues, this moment in Minneapolis offers a cautionary parallel. It reminds us that silence can speak louder than words—and that local representatives are expected to uphold transparency, especially when it involves marginalized groups. We will continue to track whether Marie Gluesenkamp responds with substantive policy efforts and open dialogue.

Sources
Medical Examiner ruling and details of the shooting: the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Good’s death a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds.
News coverage and community response: including reporting from major outlets such as People, The Guardian, and regional statements from Cascade Forward.
Protest timeline and Gluesenkamp’s statement: based on Cascade Forward’s own journal entry “Where Is Marie?”