Protesters Urge Schumer to Challenge ICE and Block DHS Funding
Members of Indivisible Brooklyn gathered on January 20 outside the home of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in Park Slope. The group urged Schumer to oppose additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to restrict the agency’s operations nationwide.
Protests Against ICE Funding
Approximately 25 activists braved freezing temperatures to demand that Schumer, as Senate minority leader, leverage his influence against any appropriations bill that increases funding for ICE or Border Patrol. This rally was part of a weeklong series of protests aimed at highlighting the need to rein in ICE before the Senate’s next session on January 26.
Background of the Protests
The protests were fueled by rising concerns over warrantless raids and arrests of undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens. This urgency intensified after the January 7 shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent during a protest in Minneapolis.
- Date of the shooting: January 7
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Protest date in front of Schumer’s home: January 20
This incident ignited widespread anti-ICE demonstrations across the nation, drawing attention to what many activists describe as excessive force used by ICE agents, including instances of pepper spray and arrests during protests.
Calls for Action from Schumer
Protesters held signs with slogans like “Will Chuck Fight?” and “No ICE,” urging Schumer and Senate Democrats to reject any funding bill that does not impose stricter limitations on ICE and Border Patrol operations. Key demands included:
- Ending the deployment of Border Patrol in U.S. cities
- Limiting ICE’s operational budget
- Preventing the targeting of individuals based on race, language, or location
Voices from the Protest
Lisa Raymond Tolan, an organizer from Indivisible Brooklyn, expressed concern about Schumer’s inaction. She stated, “They need Democratic votes to pass this budget. So he has leverage; he needs to use it.”
Fellow activist Bryony Romer described the situation in Minneapolis as a “national emergency,” stressing the urgency for political leaders to address what she sees as authoritarian actions threatening democratic processes.
Another protester, Wendy Sacks, emphasized her alarm over warrantless arrests, asserting that such actions are against constitutional rights. She believes that Democrats must act immediately to prevent any further funding for ICE.
Schumer Responds to Demands
In response to the ongoing protests and public outcry, Schumer stated the importance of accountability for ICE. He condemned the agency’s operations in communities, labeling them as “despicable” and emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Renee Good’s death.
Schumer vowed to continue demanding answers and pushing for oversight on ICE’s actions, acknowledging the collective concern surrounding its impact on communities.
As the funding deadline for the Department of Homeland Security approaches on January 30, activists remain vigilant, pressing for significant reforms in immigration enforcement and advocating for the protection of immigrant rights across America.
