Nationwide Demonstrations Demand Abolition of ICE as Outcry Grows
Thousands of protesters converged at Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Saturday, forming a powerful human banner to send a clear message to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). From an aerial view, the demonstrators spelled out "We have eyes. No more lies", followed by the word "ABOLISH!" with ICE written underneath. This visual protest highlighted the growing public discontent with federal immigration enforcement actions.
Widespread Protests Across the United States
The San Francisco event was part of a larger wave of demonstrations that swept across the country over the weekend. Cities including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York, and Austin saw significant gatherings as people voiced their opposition to ICE's tactics. Protesters decried several high-profile incidents, including:
- The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.
- The fatal shooting of Keith Porter by an off-duty ICE officer.
- The homicide of Geraldo Lunas Campos while in ICE detention.
According to reports, more than 300 protests were planned across all 50 states as part of the "ICE Out Everywhere" initiative. This coordinated effort aimed to pressure the Trump administration to halt its current immigration enforcement policies.
Economic and Social Impact of the Protests
On Friday, dozens of businesses nationwide participated in a general strike, reducing economic activity to amplify the protest message. In San Francisco, thousands of students, workers, and activists gathered at Dolores Park and marched to City Hall to show solidarity with Minneapolis. The scale of these demonstrations underscores the depth of public outrage.
Recent polls reflect this sentiment. A January Reuters/Ipsos poll found that approval for Trump's handling of immigration has dropped to just 39%, the lowest of his term. Additionally, a Fox News poll revealed that 59% of voters believe ICE is too aggressive, marking a significant increase from July of the previous year.
Organizers and Future Actions
Sanika Mahajan, an organizer for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, emphasized the inspiration drawn from Minneapolis. "The courage of the people of Minnesota last week, standing up to ICE and getting in the streets in the hundreds of thousands and shutting down the city in a general strike, we're taking that as the blueprint around the country right now," Mahajan told SFGATE.
Other notable protests included:
- Demonstrators in Minneapolis forming an SOS signal on a frozen lake and marching to demand an end to taxpayer funding for ICE.
- Cyclists in Minneapolis honoring Alex Pretti with a group ride.
- Large gatherings in Los Angeles, Austin, and Boston, where hundreds to thousands protested under the "National Shutdown" banner.
These events highlight a coordinated national movement calling for substantive changes to U.S. immigration enforcement, driven by concerns over violence and policy aggression.
