2 days ago
‘ICE Out' protest brings in hundreds in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday evening at Cowles Commons in downtown to protest the ramped up efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The protests follow the weekend events out in Los Angeles, with President Trump calling in the National Guard and now U.S. Marines on Tuesday morning.
The group protested peacefully while chanting 'Deport ICE,' among other phrases as well. One protestor explains why he was there on Wednesday.
'We have a lot of immigrant workers throughout Iowa, and a lot of them are in smaller towns, you know, factory towns or like agricultural labor. But there's also some major communities here in Des Moines that we know are fearful right now,' said Duncan Burnett, a protestor. 'We've seen a lot of really illegal attacks, including attacks that have separated families. We're seeing a lot of people detained and deported without due process. And when there's that sort of escalation, like those sorts of attacks on our rights, are eventually going to come back and affect everybody.'
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Burnett said everyone knows an undocumented immigrant, whether it be a friend, neighbor or someone in your community. It is more personal to him as some family members classify as that.
An immigration attorney spoke with WHO 13 News on Wednesday prior to the protest, saying that clients are coming in concerned with the ramp up in ICE raids.
'I've had lots of clients reach out. They're scared. And quite honestly, I basically tell them that nothing's really changed. The laws are what they are. Enforcement is ramping up,' said James Benzoni.
On Monday, there were protests in Cedar Rapids and Sioux City. Before the rally on Tuesday Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement on X.
'As long as I'm Governor, Iowa will enforce immigration law and never become a sanctuary state. Peaceful demonstrations are welcome, but make no mistake: any unlawful behavior will be stopped immediately. Our brave law enforcement officers are ready to protect all Iowans. Iowa remains a state of law and order.'
Gov. Reynolds (R)
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