Title: Vermont ICE Protest Shows Rising Immigration Tensions
Hundreds of protesters filled downtown Burlington Friday afternoon in opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
The rally on Church Street drew students from grade school through college despite single-digit temperatures. Protesters carried signs reading “No Human Is Illegal” and “This ICE Must Melt” while chanting “No justice, no peace. Get ICE off our streets.”
The demonstration was part of a national strike protesting recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis. Organizers called for “no school, no work and no shopping” to show opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
“If we want to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to shut it down,” one speaker told the crowd gathered outside Burlington City Hall. Another speaker warned that “the increasing violence of the state against immigrants and its own citizens has us all at a crossroads.”
State Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky (P/D-Chittenden-Central) addressed the crowd, saying “the danger of authoritarian fascism is real, and it is here.” She added, “We must go beyond rallies, beyond asking nicely, and we must begin real resistance.”
One sign referenced “Free Hussien,” referring to a Somali cab driver ICE detained earlier this month while working outside the Burlington airport.
Protesters marched up Church Street before looping back down South Winooski Avenue, stopping traffic along the way. Some local businesses, including Golden Hour and Frog Hollow, posted signs saying they would close from 3 to 4 p.m. during the scheduled rally time, while other shops became impromptu warming centers for protesters.
Organizers in neon vests distributed hand warmers and hot drinks as speakers led the crowd in songs between speeches. The demonstration concluded back at City Hall after the march through downtown Burlington.
