Minneapolis Public Schools cancel classes for rest of the week due to ‘safety concerns’ after women killed in ICE action

Minneapolis Public Schools announced it will cancel classes on Thursday and Friday (January 8 and 9), citing safety concerns following a series of incidents across the city. In a message posted on its website, the district said it would not shift to online instruction, noting that e-learning is permitted only during severe weather. The decision affects all Minneapolis schools and includes the cancellation of district-sponsored programs, athletics, and community education classes.

“Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no school on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9 due to safety concerns related to today’s incidents around the city. All MPS-sponsored programs, activities, athletics and Community Education classes, including adult education, will be canceled. The district will not move to e-learning because that is only allowable for severe weather,” Minneapolis Public Schools said in its statement. “MPS will continue collaborating with the City of Minneapolis and other partners on emergency preparedness and response.”

The move comes nearly 12 hours after a woman, identified as Renee Nicole Good, was shot and later killed by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis, an incident that has heightened tensions in the city.


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The closures were also announced the same day Minnesota Public Radio reported that Border Patrol agents appeared at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, located about three miles from the site where ICE shot Renne Nicole Good earlier in the day. According to MPR, agents entered school property during dismissal, handcuffed two staff members and used chemical weapons on bystanders, prompting several people to seek shelter inside the school library.