Minneapolis Public Schools offers virtural learning through February 12 after ICE shooting

After canceling school both on Thursday and Friday, Minneapolis will offer students the option for remote learning into February in the wake of activist Renee Good being fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis after she rammed her car into the agent.

Marcia Howard, the President of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, wrote on Thursday night, "MPS is going to be offering an option for students to learn from home until February 12. This is an OPTION and exactly what so many families need right now. MFE members brought this to MPS and MPS listened. Let’s stay strong together Minneapolis."

In an email obtained by the Associated Press, a Minneapolis school administrator said of the plan, "This meets a really important need for our students who are not able to come to school right now." The administrator added, "This will keep them safe and help them keep up with their work. It will also allow them to be counted present, so we don’t have a ton of dropouts next week."

The option for virtual learning comes after both the fatal shooting of Renee Good, as well as Border Patrol agents on the grounds of Minneapolis’ Roosevelt High School just hours after the shooting.

DHS said that a US citizen was "actively trying to impede operations," which they said escalated into the person ramming into a government vehicle with their car. A chase ensued, with the driver stopping in the school zone. DHS said the person identified as a teacher "proceeded to assault a border patrol agent." A crowd began to form, with people throwing objects and spraying paint of officers and their vehicles. DHS said that no tear gas was used in the situation, while witnesses told KARE 11 that it was used.

DHS said in a statement, "At no point was a school, students, or staff targeted, and agents would not have been near this location if not for the dangerous actions of this individual."

MPS said in a statement after the incident, "Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is aware of an incident that happened after school yesterday, outside of Roosevelt High School. This incident involved federal law enforcement agents and is currently under investigation. We are working with our partners including the City of Minneapolis and others to support the individuals directly impacted. Minneapolis Public Schools is committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming learning environment for all of our students. All MPS schools are closed today, January 8 and tomorrow, January 9 out of an abundance of caution."