Baltimore Residents Rally Against Nationwide Immigration Crackdown
More than 500 demonstrators marched through East Baltimore on Wednesday afternoon, joining a national wave of protests in response to intensified federal immigration enforcement efforts. The demonstration, organized by CASA, a nonprofit advocating for working-class Black, Latino, African-descendant, Indigenous, and immigrant communities, was one of many grassroots events happening across the country, The Baltimore Banner reports.
Protesters flooded the intersection of Streeper and East Fayette Streets just after noon, temporarily bringing traffic to a standstill. MTA buses were caught in the congestion, with some drivers honking in solidarity. Inside one bus, passengers recorded the event on their phones, capturing the energy and urgency of the moment.
Chants of “The people united will never be divided” rang out over the beat of drums as marchers held signs reading “Justice for Immigrants,” “It’s for Haiti,” and “Assist All Filipino Workers in Distress.” Others voiced their frustrations with chants like “No ICE, no KKK, no racist USA.”
The march paused at a local strip mall, home to Hazlo International Foods and a Dollar Tree, a site organizers said held symbolic importance due to previous ICE activity in the area. Employees stepped out to film the crowd, capturing what had grown into a powerful demonstration of solidarity.
Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos addressed supporters earlier in the day during a press conference at CASA’s headquarters. “Our neighbors are being treated inhumanely,” she said. “If they are coming for them, they are coming for us.” Her voice cracked as she asked the crowd to consider the pain of family separations, urging, “Baltimore, speak out and speak up.”
The march was escorted by several Baltimore police SUVs with flashing lights. Among the participants was Ilana Ginsberg, who came with a local Jewish organization. “No one deserves to be treated this way,” she said. “We want immigrants in other cities to know they are not alone.”
This story is developing and will be updated.
Baltimore Residents Rally Against Nationwide Immigration Crackdown was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com
