Solidarity in Action: Stand with Haitians! Protest in Columbus Against ICE Terror
A group of around 150 protesters gathered at Goodale Park in Columbus for a Stand with Haitians! protest organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation. The protest was in response to a federal judge's decision to block President Trump's attempt to end temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants in the U.S. Community organizers and immigrants were prepared for a potential ICE surge in Springfield, a city with a large Haitian population. The protesters marched down High Street, holding signs and chanting slogans in support of immigrants and against ICE terror.
Rachel Domond, an organizer from Houston, emphasized the importance of standing with Haitians and continuing the movement against ICE terror. The protesters braved the cold weather to show their support, with signs calling for ICE to leave and expressing solidarity with immigrants. The group attracted attention from passersby who stopped to film the procession and join in on the chants.
One protester, Che Schrock, voiced her opposition to deporting people to Haiti, citing the U.S.'s role in destabilizing the country. She emphasized the interconnected struggle of supporting immigrants from all backgrounds and called for the abolition of ICE. The protest encountered counterprotesters towards the end of the march, who chanted anti-immigrant slogans and labeled the protesters as traitors.
A counterprotester named Alex Kevorkian expressed his opposition to illegal immigration, claiming that it negatively impacts job opportunities. The counterprotesters engaged in verbal exchanges with the protesters before eventually leaving the scene. The protest concluded back at Goodale Park, where the rally continued as both sides exchanged insults from across the street.
The Stand with Haitians! protest in Columbus brought together a diverse group of individuals to show solidarity with Haitian immigrants and advocate for the end of ICE terror. The event highlighted the ongoing struggle for immigrant rights and the need for community support in challenging anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric. The protesters' determination to stand up for justice and equality resonated throughout the demonstration, emphasizing the importance of unity in the fight against discrimination and injustice.