Thousands protest in Minneapolis over ICE anti-immigration campaign

In the US, thousands of demonstrators went out into the streets of a bitter cold Minneapolis, in the state of Minnesota, to demand an end to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the city.

Freezing in Minneapolis, with the mercury down to minus 24 degrees Celsius at its lowest. But it is not the weather ice the people are worried about.

"Honestly, I don't love the cold. It's definitely chilly, but the kind of ICE that is a danger to us is not the weather," said Elizabeth Barish Browne, reverend at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Thousands braved the bitter cold to protest in Minneapolis against the actions of ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose agents have riled up the local population by their methods during a campaign to round up illegal immigrants.

These include the fatal shooting of Renee Good in her car on January 7th and the arrest of a five-year-old boy, along with his father.

Local police also arrested dozens of clergy members who sang hymns and prayed at the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, calling for US President Donald Trump to withdraw the 3,000 federal law enforcement officers sent to the area.

Authorities said they are determined to complete the job in Minneapolis.

"So operations continue unabated here in Minneapolis," said Greg Bovino, Border Patrol Commander at Large. "Several illegal alien criminals taken off the streets yet again over the past 24 hours. Again, that is what we're here to do and we're not going to be deterred in doing that.

"We are going to take these criminal illegal aliens off the street and make America a safer place, make Minneapolis a safer place. Again, that is why we're here.

"Now, the 5-year-old yesterday, some of you had questions on the 5-year-old yesterday. That 5-year-old remains with his family. Let me say that again. Remains with his family. That false media narrative that was pushed out yesterday was, well, it was false."

A vast network of labour unions, progressive organisations and clergy has been urging people in Minnesota to stay away from work, school and stores to protest against immigration enforcement in the state.

Around 700 business in Minneapolis reportedly shut down for the day in solidarity with the protesters.

"What's happening is not the vision for America, it's not my vision for America," said protester Aaron Hass. "There needs to be more empathy. And what's happening to people here in Minneapolis and other parts of the country is too much, it is not right, there needs be due process."