A memorial vigil in Reading on Sunday afternoon brought hundreds of community members together in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman who was shot and killed by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week. The gathering later turned into an impromptu march to the Berks County Courthouse.
Organized by Make the Road Pennsylvania, the event began just after 1 p.m. in the 800 block of Penn Street, where participants held signs and listened to remarks honoring Good’s life before walking together through the city. State Sen. Judy Schwank and Reading City Council District 2 Councilman Jaime Baez attended and addressed the crowd. Organizers said they wanted to show solidarity with Good’s family and demand increased accountability and oversight of federal immigration enforcement.
At Sunday’s vigil in Reading, speakers underscored calls for policymakers to halt increased funding for ICE and U.S. Border Patrol and urged local officials to reject any contracts or agreements that could lead to harmful enforcement actions in Berks County. Organizers framed their demands around broader concerns about immigration policy and community safety.
“Across the political spectrum, we did not ask for this. Families want lower prices, stability, and safety — not citizens being gunned down in the streets,” said a statement from Make the Road Pennsylvania. “nothing can bring Renee back, but accountability is urgent and non-negotiable.”
Following the vigil, Councilman Baez led the group in a march through downtown Reading to the Berks County Courthouse, chanting and holding signs as part of what organizers described as a peaceful demonstration for justice.