Over the weekend, thousands of people gathered at Boston Common to participate in a demonstration addressing both domestic and foreign policy issues. The protest focused on the recent fatal shootings by ICE agents and U.S. military actions in Venezuela. According to CBS News Boston, participants highlighted the message “No War At Home, No War Abroad.”
The rally included community members, activists, and political figures. Bonnie Jin, co-chair of the Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, spoke at the event, stating, “We demand more from our elected officials, whether that is the governor, whether that is the state legislature, whether that is our Congress to do more to stop ICE from conducting this terror on our streets," as reported by CBS News Boston. The crowd also recognized Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
Residents and protesters carried signs that included calls to abolish ICE and opposition to ongoing deportation policies. Demonstrators also expressed opposition to recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, including the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and discussions about rebuilding the country’s oil infrastructure. As per NBC Boston, President Trump met with U.S. oil industry executives following the Venezuela operation, where plans involving more than $100 billion in oil investment were discussed.
The Boston protest was part of a series of demonstrations occurring across the United States. The event concluded at Government Center, where participants observed a moment of silence in memory of people who died while in ICE custody. Demonstrators also called for a day of national action and referenced statements by Pope Leo criticizing the use of military force in diplomatic matters, as noted by NBC Boston.
