Paiz Attends Day of Solidarity at Minnesota State Capitol, Condemns Fatal Shooting and Federal Overreach

HARPER WOODS, Mich., Feb. 3, 2026 — State Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods) traveled last week to join Minnesota lawmakers and more than 40 legislators from 13 states for the Day of Solidarity amid growing concern over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) extremist actions – including fatalities – in the state. Paiz also attended a vigil for one of the victims the night before the Day of Solidarity.

“My time in Minnesota was focused on listening, bearing witness and standing in solidarity with people who are grieving and afraid,” Paiz said. “The fatal shootings of nonviolent people exercising their First Amendment rights were tragedies, and we the people demand accountability and justice. Federal law enforcement should never cost lives or undermine the safety and dignity of communities.”

Paiz began the next day meeting with community activists and organizers, alongside state Reps. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) and Natalie Price (D-Berkley), to hear directly from Minnesotans impacted by recent federal enforcement actions. She later attended a Minnesota Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee hearing examining the federal government’s impacts on Minnesotans and economic stability, including testimony on how ICE actions have affected local communities. Afterward, all legislators convened for a national press conference in solidarity with Minnesota legislators. The following day Paiz met with parents of children in daycare centers and learned about their struggles to protect all children from the trauma of ICE’s assaults on schools and youth.

“What we are seeing raises serious concerns not just for Minnesota, but for states across the country,” Paiz added. “Michigan must be vigilant in preventing and pushing back against practices that endanger lives and erode trust in government. Illegal detention and assault; intimidation and threats; destabilization of workplaces, schools, hospitals and more by the federal government have no place in a country whose Pledge of Allegiance declares ‘liberty and justice for all.’”

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