Benches at McKeldin Square were filled Monday as community organizers protested anti-immigrant speech from politicians and ICE deportations – rhetoric that’s flooded social media as tensions increased between progressive activist groups and federal agents after recent Los Angeles protests became violent over the weekend.
One speaker said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore “capitulated” when he said he wouldn’t interfere if ICE removed undocumented immigrants who had committed criminal offenses. Speeches and signs also rebuked U.S. foreign policy that protesters said destabilized the countries from which immigrants now flee and denounced America’s financial support of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Tonight’s protest at McKeldin Plaza is part of Baltimore’s Eyes on ICE, a weekly movement created by Free State Coalition. The group’s marches have been happening weekly since April 14, but Monday’s demonstration saw renewed interest on social media after the events in Los Angeles. Other advocacy groups, including Indivisible Baltimore County and the Baltimore Rapid Response Network, promoted the march as well…