Sacramento, CA: Report Back from Anti-ICE Mobilization

Report back from recent mobilization in Sacramento, CA against ICE and continued attacks on immigrant communities.

On February 22nd in so-called “Sacramento” California, over 500 people gathered at Cesar Chavez Park for a pro-immigrant “Aquí Estamos” (We Are Here) rally. The event, put on by local mutual aid organizations like Nor Cal Resist, brought together people from all over the city to stand in solidarity against ICE and the current Trump administration. At the park there were food vendors, indigenous dancers, musicians, and multiple speeches from local organizers and activists. Speeches including talks of Black and Brown solidarity, anti-capitalist, and anti-imperialist values. The crowd was made up of a diverse group of community members with flags, banners and signs that included various anti-Trump, anti-police, anti-fascist, anti-ICE, and anti-Elon Musk slogans.

During the joyous speeches and music a group in black bloc hoisted up a Telsa cyber-truck piñata with the words “Eat The Rich” on it, that various people from the crowd gathered around and began to hit with poles and sticks. After a tremendous beating the Telsa piñata exploded with candy pouring out. Kids and adults alike rushed to get the delicious treats that came out of the beaten and battered Telsa piñata.

About an hour and half after the beginning of the rally, the group then gathered and took to the streets. With massive numbers the group marched with banners and signs high chanting and dancing. Various chants could be heard such as “No Borders, No Nations, Stop the Deportations,” “Todos Somos Antifascistas” and all variety of anti- Trump, anti-ICE and anti-police chants. Shows of solidarity for Palestine were ever present through the attire of attendees and through chants like, “From Palestine to Mexico, these Border Walls have Got to Go!” The march was truly a showing of solidarity not only across racial lines, but across ideas of resistance that resulted in anti-fascists and anarchists walking side by side with everyday community members, families, and indigenous dancers.

At any point during the march one could see a crowd in black holding up a banner that stated “Death to Fascism, Chinga La Migra! When the Billionaires Burn the I.C.E. will melt,” with both the anarchist A and anti-fascist 3 arrows on it. From those on the ground the banner was well received and the presence of anti-fascists was one of welcoming. Prior to the march beginning, folks handed out protest security culture zines and masks which were well received and appreciated.

Once the march reached the local I.C.E. building, the crowd stopped to dance, chant, and give speeches. An American flag was then burned during this period of rest and folks could be seen dancing around the flames and jumping over the fire as a joyous resistance to the colonial and genocidal US Empire. The group then headed back to Cesar Chavez park, making a quick stop at the Capitol to dance. Finally the march ended where it began with final speeches of resistance and urges to stay involved and organize locally.

It should be noted that not one of the organizers of the rally ever attempted to peace police and in fact urged others to not do so by respecting a “diversity of tactics.” It was made clear to the crowd that different people show their protest in various ways and that nobody should be told what to do. This show of solidarity for various types of resistance should be the norm instead of an exception. It is through these kinds of acts of solidarity that the protest movement in the US can become a real spark for revolutionary resistance in a time of increasing oppression.

Todos Somos Antifascistas
Estamos Unidos
Chinga La Migra
No Gods, No Masters, No Borders!