Local Vigil Peacefully Honors those Killed by ICE
Protesters gathering alongside Raymond Avenue to honor those killed by I.C.E this year. Photo by Ava Verret '28
On Jan. 31, around 25 people gathered alongside Raymond Avenue to peacefully remember and honor those murdered by ICE this year: Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter, Herber Sanchaz Dominguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Parody La, Luis Beltran Yanez-Crus, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres and Geraldo Lunas Campos.
Despite the freezing conditions and late hour, protesters stood by one another holding signs adorned with simple messages and faux candles to dimly light the area.
Everyone who stood shoulder to shoulder all came out to portray their resistance to the actions ICE has undertaken.
The protesters present were predominantly of the older generation, with the younger generation standing present in their own group on a nearby corner to spread out the message.
Protesters were both welcome to and encouraged to read from the program provided by the organizer. The program included the overall goal of the gathering, excerpts and statements from the families of those who perished and songs of resistance to be sung by the entire group.
The feeling of unity was evident throughout the entirety of the night. Protesters were extremely friendly with one another and made sure everyone was safe and comfortable in the cold conditions.
The support was felt beyond the sidewalks where protesters stood, as passing cars often honked and/or stuck their fists out their window to display their support.
It is also important to note the undeniable feeling of sorrow that loomed over the group.
Emotions were certainly high as the program was continuously read aloud, especially the portions that included intimate accounts of the victim’s personal lives and who and what they left behind.
Each victim had a family, a community that cared deeply for them, a job in which they loved and most even had children. These facts made the cause all the more meaningful, which was felt throughout the night.
During the portion of the vigil that was set aside for Pretti, one protester read, “This isn’t content. It isn’t a meme. It’s a human life. If we can pause for jokes, arguments and scrolling, we can pause for this. For Alex. For the uncomfortable questions about power, accountability and what kind of society we are becoming when tragedies like this blur into the background. Some stories demand more than a reaction. They demand remembrance—and a voice.”
The vigil acted as a physical representation of a community that stands against the Department of Homeland Security as a whole and thus stands to honor those who had their lives cut abruptly short at the hands of ICE officers.
This small protest was just one of many that are being held throughout the nation despite unforgiving weather conditions.
The message of the protesters present on Raymond Avenue, and all those across the nation serve the American value of unity and resistance, whether in masses or a few people standing alongside a road, it’s all the same message.