On the one year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, over 1,000 protesters flooded Copley Square to demand Immigration and Customs Enforcement leave the city and cease operations nationwide.
The protest was preceded by a mass walkout demonstration across the country. The event, organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, featured multiple guest speakers, various activist groups and a march through the streets to call for justice following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis Jan. 7, 2025.
Among the activist groups attending the protest was the Independent Socialist Group who had a table at the event passing out information.
“The Trump regime is doing a divide and conquer on all working people, they are coming after federal workers and their unions, coming after immigrants, it’s a full-scale attack on working people,” said Peggy Wang, representing the ISG.
Joe Tache, a guest speaker, shared a similar sentiment, stating that the struggle for immigrant rights connects to a shared struggle among Americans. Tache is running in the upcoming general election for the Massachusetts State Senate on an outwardly socialist campaign, running with the slogan “The solution is socialism!”
“Whether it’s ICE terror in our communities, attacks on healthcare and SNAP, or wars abroad, they think that using force and strength and bullying is going to beat us into submission,” said Tache.
Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School senior Ryan spoke to the crowd about his involvement in organizing a walkout and lack of support from administrators. Ryan also spoke about Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Milford, Mass. teen that was detained by ICE on his way to volleyball practice.
“This is facism, and if that makes you uncomfortable, good. Sit in it, because Marcelo doesn’t get to be comfortable right now,” said Ryan.
Northeastern alumni Donna Berkman of Natick, Mass. expressed fear and disdain for the treatment of immigrants by ICE and says she encourages those who are less informed to pay attention and educate themselves.
“I’m here because I am scared to death about what is going on in our country – that we are going to lose our democracy, that it’s going to become an authoritarian dictatorship,” said Berkman. “People’s rights are being abused horrendously.”
Protesters expressed gratitude for the sense of community and hope the event brought them. An anonymous protester said that although she lacks faith in public officials, she believes change to be in the hands of the community.
“I hope that more folks join up with groups like LUCE and other immigrant defense networks to make sure that our neighbors are as safe as they can be,” said the anonymous protester.
