Baltimore's streets turned into a stage for solidarity as the city saw hundreds march against the recent spike in immigration raids. Maryland Matters reported on the protests, which were a response to at least 16 people being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in various locations, including a Home Depot and neighborhood stores. Organized by CASA, a vocal defender of immigrant rights, the protesters chanted "ICE out of Baltimore!" causing onlookers to take notice, many expressing their support.
The movement, encapsulating a city's outcry, was more than a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated event. Rather, it symbolizes a challenge to an approach that has sown fear within a community. As CASA's Baltimore and Central Maryland director, Crisaly De Los Santos, put it, "These raids are not isolated incidents. They are an assault on our immigrant families, on working-class neighborhoods and the dignity of Baltimore as a whole," as stated by Maryland Matters. Meanwhile, Rachel Rush, who shared she's saddened by the detention of a Los Chinelos dancer and a family friend, reinforced the prevalent fear within the community: "Our Latin community is terrified," she stated, as per WYPR.
In the wake of President Donald Trump's enactment of aggressive immigration policies, Baltimore continues to bear witness to trauma. The conflict reached dramatic heights with the alleged assault of a child by ICE officers during a confrontation, as CASA's news release detailed, with De Los Santos describing a video that "we can see that his young son was assaulted in the process, leaving him with blood all over his face," as Maryland Matters recapped the incident. And as protests against ICE's action ripple across the country, from Baltimore to Los Angeles, ICE officials have yet to formally respond to the claims of brutality.
Amidst the wave of contentions, Baltimore's community leaders stand firm in solidarity with those impacted by the raids. Councilwoman Odette Ramos, speaking before the march, evoked emotion as she addressed the crowd, saying, "Imagine — all of you here — that this is going to happen to your family," signaling the depth of the crisis, a sentiment conveyed by Maryland Matters. While the city unites, the nationwide strategy on immigration enforcement remains contentious, with the recent deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles under President Trump's directive—a divisive decision opposed by Governor Gavin Newsom among other local officials, as reported by WYPR.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the correct name of the organization involved.
