On a cold Saturday afternoon in Moscow, you might have encountered people protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the federal government. This group of Moscow residents are, like much of the nation, unhappy with the events playing out across America.
Interactions between ICE and civilians have recently resulted in two deaths in Minneapolis. On Jan. 7, Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent shooting into her vehicle after she had dropped her son off at school. The federal government claimed that she tried to weaponize her vehicle against federal agents, but state and local officials disputed the claim, and the encounter was caught on video, according to an article by CNN. The BBC reported that, on Jan. 24, another citizen was killed: Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot by ICE after a confrontation in which he was trying to protect other people from pepper spray. ICE agents found a legally carried handgun on him, disarmed him, then shot him.
These acts of violence on American citizens, as well as ICE raids being conducted without proper warrants or raids involving excessive violence, have sparked fear, anger and protests across the country. The Argonaut has previously reported on the ICE protests as well.
These protests have even popped up here in Moscow, with local residents going out on a chilly Saturday evening to hold signs and protest. They spent several hours on the corner of 6th and Jackson holding signs, waving at passing cars and talking with pedestrians.
One of the protesters, Lisa Cochran, a 70-year-old retiree and Moscow resident, said, “People have been killed in incarceration or, as they’re called, deport centers, but they’re outright killing them on the streets now. Today, another killing in Minneapolis. … Between brutalizing protesters all across this country and shooting at whomever they want to, we are in scary territory.”
The heart of these protests is that people don’t want to be scared to go outside, to be shot in their cars or for legally carrying a firearm. People don’t want to see their neighbors disappear to deportation centers on the other side of the country.
Even if ICE isn’t roaming the streets of Moscow, people are still scared here. International students at the University of Idaho are scared to lose their visas. They wonder: if they go home, will they be allowed back here?
Cochran also said, “I have seen a lot of presidents, and I have lived through a lot of history, and I just want my country back. You know, I just want civility back. And these people who are hurting others and enjoying it, they’re not pro-America, they’re pro-power. And something has to happen. Somehow, this has got to come to a stop. If we would all just unite and stand up as one. Seven million for No Kings protest was great. But let’s get 20 million out there, let’s get 30 million. Just say no.”
Cochran shared how she has lost faith in the America she grew up in. How, with the division between people on everything, there is a loss of civility. There is also a loss in direction for America. People see the growing divide between the government and the people, and the increasingly brutal tactics being employed.
Change comes from people, not corporations or politicians or celebrities. Getting out on a local street corner, telling the world that you will stand up for your beliefs and that you are not afraid is the way to enact change. The sad truth is, there are people who are afraid, and we should stand up for them.
While I talked with Cochran, I observed how people interacted with the protesters. The vast majority were waving and smiling at the crowd or sharing words of encouragement. There were a few that made rude comments or gestures or honked at them, but they were in the minority.
It was inspiring to see people come out and support the cause of protecting all Americans. Change is also required on the political level – you should reach out to their legislators and congressmen to make their voices heard. Then you should vote. Vote in the midterms, and in the presidential and every race you can.
Christopher Sprague can be reached at [email protected].