MARSHALL, MN — A small group of protesters gathered today (Tuesday) in Marshall to speak out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing concerns about civil rights, public safety and recent enforcement actions.
Gerald, a Minneapolis native who currently lives in Marshall, said he felt compelled to protest because of the impact immigration enforcement has had on people close to him. “The things that are going on are atrocious,” he said. “I have family and friends that are immigrants, and seeing this and people not doing anything about it or being too scared to do anything about it, I wanted to be one of the people that get out there and do it anyway because it’s the right thing to do.”
Gerald said his biggest concern is “the safety of people that are here legally,” adding that he believes ICE actions have gone too far. “I’m not going to let ICE or anybody else intimidate me from speaking out,” he said. He added that using one’s voice and standing up is “a good start.”
Another protester, Lori Stevens of Hanley Falls, said she was demonstrating because she does not like “how ICE is treating everybody, especially the dark-skinned people.” She said she believes people should be given “their constitutional rights under our Constitution like everybody else.”
Stevens said she supports the arrest of criminals in a constitutional way, but opposes current practices. “The way they’re doing it, I’m against,” she said. She also said she was protesting in response to what she described as the murder of Renee Good, a claim she raised while criticizing ICE’s actions.
Stevens said her biggest concern is “the safety of the peaceful protesters” and expressed fear that “innocent people” are being “taken off the streets, kidnapped off the streets,” regardless of citizenship. She criticized federal officials, saying, “They do not work for the Constitution. They do not work for the rule of law.”
Both protesters said they hope the demonstration raises awareness in the community. “That’s our constitutional right, to protest and to rally and to inform people,” Stevens said, adding that she wants others to know “there’s good people out there.”
