Hours after the fatal shooting of another protester by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, more than 600 demonstrators gathered Saturday in downtown Savannah under gray, blustery skies to denounce the Trump administration for what they said were its cruel and authoritarian policies, starting with immigration.

Protestors wave from both sides of Bay Street at Savannah City Hall during the Stand Against Fascism rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America

The protest, co-sponsored by Savannah Indivisible and the ACLU of Georgia, had already been scheduled before the shooting in Minneapolis and was just the latest anti-Trump protest in Coastal Georgia’s largest city since Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term as president a year ago. But the shadow cast by Saturday’s bloodshed in Minnesota meant the mood of the protesters at this demonstration may have been the gravest so far.

US Army veteran Pat Wilver speaks at the Stand Against Fascism Rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America

“He was killed for just doing what we’re all doing,” one of the speakers, Erin Meyer, told the demonstrators assembled in Madison Square, alluding to the 37-year-old U.S. citizen shot in Minneapolis. The victim was Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, according to The Associated Press.

Even so, the protesters forged on, with their chants of “No hate/No fear/Immigrants are welcome here,” echoing through downtown streets as they marched the dozen blocks from the square to Savannah City Hall.

The Stand Against Fascism Rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America
The Stand Against Fascism Rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America
Protesters stand near Savannah City Hall during a Stand Against Fascism rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America
The Stand Against Fascism Rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America
Marchers move from Madison Square toward Savannah City Hall during the Stand Against Fascism rally in Savannah, on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local/Report For America

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Craig Nelson is a former international correspondent for The Associated Press, the Sydney (Australia) Morning-Herald, Cox Newspapers and The Wall Street Journal. He also served as foreign editor for The...