Protesters march in Philadelphia after ICE shooting in Minnesota
Demonstrators marched through Philadelphia on Saturday calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and protesting the killing of a woman by an ICE officer in Minnesota last week.
Carrying signs and participating in chants such as "ICE has got to go" and "No fascist USA," protesters began their march at City Hall and ended with a rally outside the Federal Detention Center. Organizers said they chose the location because they believe detainees are being held inside and hope those individuals hear their support.
This is one of several Philadelphia rallies that have come together since Wednesday, when an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis.
The Trump administration has called the killing an act of self-defense, but local officials dispute that claim and say video evidence suggests otherwise.
Heather Fox of Kensington said she believes the shooting reflects a troubling trend.
"We've dove into fascism headfirst," Fox said. "I don't understand where people's humanity is, after what happened this week. I don't understand how everyone isn't out here."
David Gibson, who cofounded the group Peace, Justice, Sustainability, Now!, said the protest was also about broader concerns.
"It's also a protest about the administration and how they've brought chaos to the country," Gibson said. "ICE is coming in and ripping apart families, destroying communities."
For some, the issue is deeply personal.
"I'm a child of immigrants. My mom didn't get her citizenship until I was like 5," said Fernando Munoz-Piedra of Center City. "There's a lot of paranoia and that's concerning."
The rally was one of several demonstrations held in Philadelphia in recent days as activists continue to call for changes to immigration enforcement policies.
