Hundreds of people answered Milwaukee’s call for an emergency march in response to the second Minneapolis death caused by an ICE agent. Despite 1 degree weather, people brought their signs, handwarmers and their thickest winter clothes to Red Arrow Park.
“We’re here to bring as many people as possible together to oppose ICE and the vicious murder and the terror they’ve released on all American cities, not just Minneapolis,” said Samantha Doucas, an organizer of PSL.
In early December, President Trump deployed over 2,000 ICE agents in Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, causing schools to shut down and potential targets becoming homebound. Protests and marches began all around the country as outrage grew once footage was released of an ICE agent killing Renee Good, an American citizen.
37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was killed while recording ICE on his phone. He is the second person to be killed by ICE this year. Just hours after the confirmation of his death, PSL Milwaukee made an Instagram post announcing the emergency march.
At 2 p.m., the crowd gathered in front of the park’s ice-skating rink. PSL leaders handed out handwarmers and whistles used to warn others when ICE has been spotted.
People carried homemade signs including Nazi imagery and comparisons to President Trump and ICE agents. One read, “ICE IS THE NEW GESTAPO.”
Fernanda Jimenez is the leader for Comité Sin Fronteras, a branch of Wisconsin-based organization Voces De La Frontera. They offer ICE verifier training to inform people of their rights and how to investigate potential ICE agents and vehicles.
“Let me be clear; our fight has never had a perfect solution,” said Jimenez. “There is no right way when those we’re up against have no morals and no respect for humanity. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve had to change our training materials only to say, ‘I don’t even know your fucking rights anymore.’”
The march circled around the MSOE campus with a pit stop in front of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for speeches.
“ICE as an institution must be abolished,” said Raul, a leader of PSL Milwaukee. “They are playing with fire, and if working class retribution is what they want, working class retribution is what they’re gonna get.”