Austin immigration rights group joins national day of protests against ICE actions

AUSTIN, Texas — A protest organized by the Austin Immigrant Rights Action Committee took place outside the south entrance of the Texas Capitol as part of a national day of action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Jesse Valdelama of the Austin Immigrant Rights Action Committee led the protest, which occurred one month after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis. “I think it’s a travesty what these people are doing out on the streets,” Valdelama said. “I really think that instead of us, this country, sticking these immigrants with terror, I think we really ought to be giving them red carpet, really.”

Daniel Ramirez from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization joined the protest, emphasizing the unpopularity of ICE, particularly in Texas. “They’re seeing our Mexican and Latin American and immigrant neighbors being snatched up and held in these detention centers, and killing them,” Ramirez said.

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The anti-ICE protest Saturday follows a series of school walkout protests earlier in the week, which Valdelama says, “we love it.” The protests also caught the attention of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who earlier in the week said, “Schools are paid for by Texas taxpayer dollars, and their dollars go to schools for the singular purpose of educating their students.”

The governor also requested the Texas Education Agency look into protests that took place within Austin ISD earlier this week. Of that, Valdelama responded, “Really what this is about, it’s about repressing the democratic rights of students and really U.S. citizens.”

A vigil for families affected by ICE actions is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.