‘Use your voice even when it shakes’: Redlands rallies against ICE

REDLANDS, Calif. - About 100 demonstrators gathered Saturday Morning at Peace Corner in downtown Redlands as a continuance to a national call to stop the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

The pop-up rally, organized locally by the Redlands Area Democratic club, followed Friday’s nationwide strike and was one of the many protests held across the country bringing attention to the impact that ICE has caused on families and communities. It came in wake of the recent killings of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Good, and Alex Pretti, which organizers cited as part of the urgency behind the action.

People could be seen tightly holding signs, chanting in unison and drawing support from passing drivers. Some wore costumes adding moments of lightheartedness, while others wore clothing and flags reflecting their cultural backgrounds or political messages.

According to an informational post shared by the organizers on Instagram the demonstration aimed to, “...stand up for all those murdered, harmed, and in horrific ‘detention’ conditions.” Their final sentiment reading, “We are calling to #STOPICE, abolish it, and prosecute those committing criminal acts under its ‘protection’.’ 

Attendees described the rally as a response to the growing fear among immigrant communities and a desire to publicly oppose federal enforcement policies. 

“Some of the kids that I work with… are not going to school.” stated a teacher from Colton, California. “I know their parents are afraid of what is occurring, and I know one particular student whose parents are going to self-deport.” She added that continued turnout matters, saying that “...I know we are a blue state, but I think if we [continue] to show up in large numbers, it sends a message to our political leaders.” 

Two Redlands community members, Dee and Antiana, talked of their thoughts through the lens of coming from immigrant backgrounds, they both said “Either you are a part of the solution or you are a part of the problem. If you are staying silent, that is an even bigger issue.”

The crowd included a variety of ages, ethnicities, orientations, and even individuals who traveled from all over the Inland Empire just to be a part of the cause. Yucaipa resident and U.S. Military Veteran Rick, emphasized “If all the people do not make a stand, then all of the people are going to suffer from the consequences of our silence.” 

He offered his own unique perspective coming from a military background, “The gravity [of these protests as a response] is immense. As a veteran, I thought that I pledged allegiance to the United States, to the constitution, and the flag— not to a president.” 

Several participants were encouraged by the public response, pointing towards the frequent honks, waves and raised fists from drivers passing by. Some individuals showed up alone to the protest, and others brought a friend along. 

Families could be seen lining up the street, with their small children joining in on the action. 

Veronica Gomez, who has lived in Redlands for 36 years, attended with her husband and their three children. “My daughter, being that her father is an immigrant himself, has expressed a lot of fear and I want to show her that you can be afraid… but also use your voice even when it shakes”, Gomez said. Mirroring the note of resilience, she finished her thoughts with, “Redlands is a city welcoming of immigrants and inclusivity… and I hope by showing up we can continue to show how immigrants are what make America great.” 

The Redlands Area Democratic Club has previously organized demonstrations addressing national political issues, and Saturday’s action seems to be a part of a broader effort to keep local attention on immigration policy and its consequences.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, a handful of protestors remained at Peace Corner, with their slogans raised as the traffic flowed through. “Woo’s” and car horns alike continued to sound in support, carrying the rally’s message beyond the intersection where it began.