by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Sparked by the January 7 killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross, more than 300 demonstrators turned out at Indian Hill and Foothill boulevards Sunday to voice disdain for President Trump’s policies and ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection tactics.

The protest, organized by Indivisible Claremont/Inland Valley Action Group, followed similar demonstrations that took place nationwide over the weekend.

Good’s killing adds to the list of at least four others who have died at the hands of ICE and CBP agents since Trump began his crackdown on immigrants, primarily in Democratically-controlled states and cities, in January 2025. Many others have been shot at and injured over that time, and at least 32 people caught up in the sweep have died in detention.

(L-R, foreground) Nora Baker, 12, her brother, 9-year-old Isaac Baker at Sunday’s protest. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Protester and Upland resident Gini Martinez, 52, said she hoped to shed light on Good’s death, and others who have suffered as a result of Trump’s immigration crackdown.

“I care about the most vulnerable in our communities being terrorized and also understanding that whatever they can do to any one of us, they can do to all of us,” Martinez said. “The shooting in Minneapolis just raised the sense of urgency.” She said she hopes the action in Claremont, elsewhere, and future demonstrations will embolden politicians to address aggressive ICE tactics in their communities.

“It has to f&%king stop, man,” she said.

“This was a rapid response action called by Indivisible as a national group,” said Indivisible representative Victoria Bhavsar. “[ICE] are violent and they hurt people. And the killing of someone who was doing nothing improper, just point-blank shot, and also being called a ‘effing bitch’ after that, I think that really touched a nerve … The message out here today is that we do not want our country being subjected to unjustified violence, especially by our own government.”

The demonstration hit home for Rancho Cucamonga resident Sandra Alfaro-Lynch, 57, a third generation Mexican American.

Sandra Alfaro-Lynch demonstrates Sunday at Indian Hill and Foothill boulevards. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“We have to remember our constitution. We have to remember that we all have rights,” Alfaro-Lynch said. “[ICE] did raids in my area about a month ago and took all the gardeners, all the landscapers, all the housekeepers, and they became very dear friends of mine. And my family fought to be here … worked hard, started their own business, and I wouldn’t be where I’m at without them. So that’s why I’m here.” She recently began carrying a pocket version of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, in addition to her passport. “Unfortunately, I have to carry my passport now because you never know.”

Dressed as the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Chino Hills resident Renee Medina, 63, hoped to “channel her fierce independence and feminist ideology … I think the point for all of us is to support each other in trying to resist an oppressive government.”

That sentiment was echoed by Upland’s Doug Brown, who played his djembe drum alongside with accompaniment from cowbell player Adam Bosler, from Glendora.

“What’s happening is just so horrifying that to do nothing would be a moral failure,” Brown said. “Fascism is bad.”

Bosler was equally concerned.

(L-R) Doug Brown and Adam Bosler play the djembe and cowbell at Sunday’s anti-Trump/ICE rally in Claremont protest in Claremont. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“Whatever happened to community-based policing?” Bosler said. “I mean, what’s the deal with militarizing our streets with outside forces that have no connection to the community here? I don’t understand why we aren’t standing up to that more strongly. It’s not an American tradition to have this kind of military action in our city streets. It’s offensive, and it’s not a path I think our country should be going down.”

Many attended the protest to bear witness.

“We have to make sure that we are witness to everything that’s going on,” said 45-year-old Claremont resident Jorgelina, who declined to provide her last name. “So, whether we were protesting or making calls or whatever it is that we’re doing, we are witnesses to everything that’s going on so no one can ever say that we weren’t out here.”

A trio of school-aged Upland residents chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” along Foothill Boulevard. “We’re out here today because of the injustices going on in the government and the ICE people that are murdering innocent people that do not deserve to be murdered,” said one, 12-year-old Nora Baker. “I’m here because I believe ICE has gone way too far,” added 11-year-old Sofia, who declined to give her last name. Nine-year-old Isaac Baker was happy to be attending with his family.

Ryan was asked how he might explain Sunday’s demonstration to his own children one day.

“I would talk to them mostly about freedom is not free; it takes actions. It takes people standing up and asking for our rights and demanding our rights,” Ryan said. “And if we don’t stand up, you don’t have a voice. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice. So, for them, why are they out there? It’s because we want to make sure that they’re standing up for their rights and not letting them just be trampled.”

“I think the message of today is that the majority of Americans do not agree with what’s happening today with the regime, that the majority of Americans want rule of law,” said Indivisible’s Susan Young. “They want the Constitution to be honored. They want our leaders to be people who are honest and trustworthy and people who we can respect.”

Sixty-three year-old Ontario resident Cynthia Flores expressed some hope.

“I think it’s important that areas like this stand up because … it shows that this country at its core is good,” Flores said. “Unfortunately, ugly always supersedes beauty, and that’s what’s happening right now. But I think there’s more good in this country than there is bad.”