On September 6, 2019, there was a protest in Cambridge to advocate for businesses to stop cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest was led by pro-immigration protesters and was occurring during rush hour, across the Charles River via the Longfellow Bridge, which is the only route for hundreds of commuters in traffic. 12 people were arrested for trespassing at the Amazon building.
ICE has been all over the internet for the abuse they would put on young children in the detention centers. The children said they have been sexually abused, treated like animals, sleeping on the ground with no blankets, and have been separated from their family. They would all be denied medical treatments, such as for cancer and other common-like illnesses. 24 immigrants have died in ICE custody and have gotten worldwide attention with seven of those being children between the ages of 2-17.
The death that got the most attention was the photo of a father with his 23-month old daughter who drowned in the Rio Grande, lying face down. The daughter was inside the father’s shirt and they tried swimming the Rio Grande to seek asylum that he has been wanting to do for months. The mother stayed in El Salvador, where they were originally from.
People nationwide are now looking at President Donald Trump and his role in these deaths surrounding these migrant children. People believe that Trump is behind it all in order to retain media fame, and not for purposeful reasons. Trump is defending ICE for their recent raids in Mississippi on August 9, arresting 680 undocumented immigrants and letting more than 300 go.
Elizabeth Weinbloom, one of the activists present at the protest states that “[we] all know that it is necessary for people in positions of privilege, such as citizens, such as people who present as white and people who present as cis-gendered need to put our bodies on the line and actually take on some risks in order to stand up for people who can’t choose to take on danger.”
A movement called the “Never Again Action” is a type of act that people are doing all over and in the protests so that people notice them and they donate to shut ICE down all over the US once and for all. Ways to show your actions are donating, writing it on posters and bringing it to the protests to gain people’s attention and more. You can help them by donating or just putting your name if you are against ICE and want them to shut down.
Suggested Reading:
Anti-ICE Protesters Block Rush-Hour Traffic in Boston Area; 12 Arrested for Trespassing at Amazon
12 Arrested After Hundred of ICE Protesters Block Rush Hour Traffic During March Through Boston
