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The Indy Liberation Center hosts a community gathering at Belmont Beach to discuss immigration issues while participating in the "Sick of ICE" national protest.
Samantha Horton / WFYIPeople across the country called in sick to work on Tuesday to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies. A group that participated in Indianapolis used the time to gather for fellowship and conversation.
Chairs and benches form a circle under a shaded canopy at Belmont Beach on the westside of Indianapolis. Attendees hold their phones and take turns reading out loud about the Supreme Court’s ruling that granted the Trump administration emergency relief to allow for immigration enforcement.
After a moment of reflection, organizer Destiny Glover with The Indianapolis Liberation Center asked, “Has anyone in your life been affected by immigration or deportation?” That first question sparked responses of personal stories of family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers and students. The conversation developed to a focus on how attendees could support immigrants in their neighborhoods.
The gathering was a part of a national movement last week to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The “Sick of ICE” protests aimed to call attention to the contributions of immigrant laborers and the current risks they face under federal, state and local policies.
Indianapolis Liberation Center organizer Cecilia Gomez said the potluck event created a space to connect with like-minded people, talk about immigration issues and possible actions.
“Everyone here today [July 1] is really dedicated to empowering the community to act, to kind of realize that this wave of repression is a tactic to make us scared, you know, to make people not want to engage,” Gomez said.
Gomez said she believes taking action now will help determine what policies exist in the future.
The protest comes as immigration enforcement has increased under President Donald Trump, including higher arrest quotas for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the expansion of detainment facilities, and ending several immigration programs.
In Indiana, Governor Mike Braun ordered law enforcement to cooperate with ICE and signed a bill into law that requires law enforcement to notify ICE of any suspect they believe is without legal status.
The “Sick of ICE” protest was one in a series of local demonstrations against deportations, including a protest outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse ahead of the NBA Finals Game 3 that drew hundreds of people. Indianapolis Liberation Center community outreach coordinator Stephen Lane said these events show many do not support the new federal tactics.
“I think a lot of these politicians are definitely seeing the movement in the streets,” Lane said. “I see that the only way to affect change is to put pressure on our politicians to say, like, we don’t want this. This is very unpopular.”
Maddie Boyd is a member of the Indianapolis branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. She said the protest is important to show support for immigrants.
“These are our neighbors,” Boyd said. “These are valuable, valuable members of our communities, and we want them here. And so I think we wouldn't be living like our mission if, if we didn't, if we didn't stand with them, whether we're immigrants or not.”
Boyd said she believes continuing to have conversations will help more people stand up for their beliefs.
Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05
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