This past Friday, Jan. 30, Lancaster City residents united and marched against the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, taking part in the “ICE Out Rally.” The rally was held in response to ICE presence in different cities across the country, and unsavory actions taken against American citizens. Lancaster citizens gathered in Reservoir Park, carrying signs and flags with messages championing love for all citizens and calling to abolish ICE.
“I think it’s so sad to see . . . essentially a secret police force in the United States,” one rally attendee spoke out about their thoughts on ICE occupation. “I think it’s really important that we all come together, and do whatever everyone has to do as an individual to support their community . . . to fight back against this blatant, fascist takeover.”
The rally was in response, in particular, to events that transpired in Minneapolis. Among several other victims and casualties of the mass enforcement operations, many mourned the loss of Minneapolis residents Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Good had been shot and killed by ICE agents on Jan. 7, and Pretti on Jan. 24. The “ICE Out Rally” brought attention to Good and Pretti’s murders, and brought other names to light as well, repeatedly reinforcing the message that “Lancaster Stands With Minneapolis.”
From Reservoir Park, rally attendees marched down King Street. People donned neon vests and volunteered as crossing guards to keep the march going through the streets. Men and women carried megaphones and leading chants and calls to action, such as “Up, up with liberation! Down, down with deportation!” These chants directly called for the end of wrongful deportation of American citizens and of ICE occupation and raids in America as a country. Passersby cheered with the march, and passing cars honked their horns in solidarity. The march came to an end in Penn Square, at the intersection of King and Queen Street. There, a candlelight vigil was held for the victims of Minneapolis, as well as all those who had been affected by ICE occupation and raids nationwide.
