Hundreds of Washington D.C. residents braved freezing weather as they took to the streets on Saturday in protest against the federal immigration enforcement operations and the recent fatal shootings by immigration agents.
Demonstrators expressed their anger and demanded that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to leave their community, chanting slogans like "ICE out" and "Boycott Target" -- the latter referring to a major retailer chain where activists say ICE is being allowed to stage detainment operations in the business's parking lots.
Kathy, a local resident who joined the protest, said that she felt compelled to walk out and speak out as the ICE activity was heartbreaking.
"So, I'm just here because I'm very upset with how the Trump administration is treating our immigrants and the horrible murders by ICE. And so, this is what I can do to show my opinion. It breaks my heart and what else can I do? So that's what I do. Come out here," she said.
Protests have been held across the United States earlier this week, triggered by the deaths of two Minneapolis residents shot by federal agents this month.
Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot on Jan. 7 by an ICE agent.
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed on Jan. 24 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents while observing a federal operation.
According to the organizer's website, the demonstrations, organized under the banner "National Shutdown," took place in at least 300 cities, with actions ranging from business closures to student walkouts and street marches.
D.C. residents rally against violent law enforcement
