Following the killings of American citizens Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Philadelphia residents have responded with peaceful protests throughout January. The primary protest, which was held on Jan. 23, was in support of a “one-day general strike” in Minneapolis to protest the death of Good and the presence of ICE in the Twin Cities.
The protest was primarily organized by left-wing political organizations, including Socialist Alternative, the Revolutionary Communists of America, Democratic Socialists of America, and the Party for Socialism & Liberation, amongst others. Posters for the event described it as “Philly Stands with Minneapolis: ICE out for good.”
“We will protect our immigrants, and we’ll protect the workers,” a Drexel student attending the protest, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Triangle.
In addition to supporting the one-day strike in Minneapolis, the protest also called for ICE’s departure from Philadelphia and other pro-worker sentiments. Organizers also noted purported sightings of ICE in Northeast Philadelphia near a local school, with one speaker claiming that teachers resorted to driving students home, fearing for their safety.
The School District of Philadelphia clarified that said claims were untrue, with a letter from Julia de Burgos Elementary School principal Bianca Reyes saying: “It has been brought to our attention that there are comments or postings on social media alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) were present at our school. We can confirm that ICE agents have not been seen near or on our school property.”
Along with the Jan. 23 protest, organizers with the Party for Socialism & Liberation held a protest on Jan. 26 at City Hall. This protest, according to the flyer for the event, was to “expand the general strike,” as well as being in response to Pretti’s killing.
With the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding fast approaching and Philadelphia at the center of such celebrations, it remains to be seen how residents will respond to a potential increase in federal presence. During the 1976 Bicentennial, then-Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo requested thousands of federal troops be deployed to discourage protests, but his request was ultimately denied.