Thousands of New Yorkers braced freezing temperatures and brutal winds on Jan. 23 as they marched through the streets of Manhattan in protest of the arrest of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. Another protest followed on Jan. 30 over the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti.
This spike in protests is not random; New Yorkers are growing more discontent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement even when the events took place miles away.
On Jan. 7 and Jan. 24, federal agents killed Renée Good and Pretti, respectively. On Jan. 20, ICE detained Conejo Ramos.
The three events combined sparked outrage across the U.S., where protests and public outcries followed. Aside from these three events, federal agents are responsible for six deaths related to immigration crackdowns this year.
Although only two of the killings were filmed, their spread online enabled New Yorkers to feel the threat of ICE from afar. Seeing the events through video further thrusted New Yorkers into anger and fear, sparking the recent protests.
These protests also come as President Donald Trump contradicted border czar Tom Homan’s plans to scale down ICE’s presence in Minneapolis. With such a hard stance on staying in Minneapolis, it’s uncertain whether they will move into other sanctuary cities, such as New York, and replicate what is happening in the twin cities.
New Yorkers must document ICE encounters and protests to ensure the safety of protestors and the validity of events. Given how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s statements about the incidents conflict with the videos taped by bystanders, having an unbiased account of events is crucial.
Local leaders and New York agencies have also showcased discontent for ICE. Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act to prevent federal agents from using local law enforcement resources. Many CUNY colleges have released protocols on how to deal with ICE agents and “Know Your Rights” documents for students.
Additionally, congressman Timothy Kennedy, who represents Buffalo, “called for the immediate impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and a complete withdrawal of ICE agents who are spreading fear throughout immigrant communities.”
It is evident that New Yorkers are fed up with the way ICE is conducting its search for undocumented immigrants. State and city officials must continue denouncing ICE and support efforts in preventing federal agents from harming more people.
