Protests and vigils in WNC, Jan. 8-11

Jan 12, 2026

Protests have arisen across our country following the murder of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last Wednesday. Here’s a roundup, county by county, of ~~nine~~ ten gatherings across western North Carolina, Thursday through Sunday evening.

Many of these protests and vigils were organized last-minute. If I learn about gatherings not noted here, I’ll update this post and link to that update in Friday’s Weekly Roundup post.

As usual, all quotes below are from eyewitnesses, lightly edited for clarity and brevity. Photos taken by protesters are not credited, because I’ve sadly decided that publishing their names online is unnecessarily risky for them.

If you see something in any NC News Digest post that’s incorrect … PLEASE let me know (email to ncnewsdigest@substack.com) so I can publish a correction. Truth matters. Thanks for your help.

Buncombe County

Multiple protests, over several days. On Thursday, “about 300 pissed off and energized lovers of liberty” marched in Asheville. Mountain Xpress 1/8 has a gallery of photos; see also AVLWatchdog 1/9, WLOS 1/8, Asheville C-T 1/9 (video).

At Black Mountain’s town square on Saturday, a vigil “began at 5:30 pm, just a few minutes before sunset, and ended 30 minutes later with all participants in a big circle, each one holding onto a single strand of yarn to signify connection in this time and each one holding up a light against the darkness. Close to 300 people were there. Though Black Mountain was drenched with 2.5 inches of rain in the past 24 hours, the skies had dried and the temperature was mild for this event. The program included a roll call of the names of all who have died or been killed in ICE custody since January 20, 2025, ending with the reading of Renee Nicole Good’s name.”

One observer: “The day started with such dreariness, but it ended with a lightness I really did not expect to feel. We will get through this dark time if we can continue to come together like this.”

Then on Sunday, once again in Asheville, “There were about 400 people at Pack Square who were out in the frigid winter temperatures protesting the Trump regime. A member of Indivisible read a statement from Good's wife, Becca Good. It was a solemn moment in an evening otherwise filled with music, dance, loud chants and car horns honking their support.” See also WLOS 1/11.

Clay County

In Hayesville, “We had 127 people brave the cold to remember Renee Good this Sunday. There was great sadness for the loss of life but also anger at what ICE is doing to our communities throughout this country.”

Haywood County

About 200 people gathered for a vigil at the county courthouse in Waynesville on Thursday. See also WLOS 1/8.

Credit for coffin photo: Cory Vaillancourt, Smoky Mountain News

Henderson County

“In Hendersonville on Saturday, more than 150 passionate people braved a downpour, accompanied by intermittent lightning and thunder, for a rally at the county courthouse to honor Renee Nicole Good and condemn her murder by an ICE agent. It was a powerful, humbling display of compassion and patriotism by participants. Law enforcement kept watch nearby for the group's safety after a social media post called for agitators to disrupt our rally.” See also Asheville C-T 1/10, WLOS 1/10.

Macon County

“On Friday at 4:30pm, 60+ people stood in pouring rain, letting their voices be heard that this is NOT okay. We stand in solidarity with those whose voices have been silenced. We demand accountability and transparency and we want masked federal agents out of our communities today.”

McDowell County

“We had a candlelight vigil and protest in Old Fort on Thursday evening, January 8th, in memory of Renee Nicole Good and the dozens of immigrants who have died while in ICE custody this year. It was well attended — about thirty people joined us for at least a portion of the vigil, including many young families with children.”

Polk County

On Sunday, “there was a protest held in Columbus, NC. The focus was on “Signs of Fascism.” Signs were made with statements representing the fascistic things that the Trump regime is imposing on us.”