Protesters gathered at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque on Friday to rally against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal immigration tactics, expressing their concerns over recent incidents and potential mobilizations. The protest lasted about two and a half hours, with participants marching around Central Avenue, chanting, and carrying signs and flags before regrouping downtown.Mike, a protester, said, “I spent 27 years in the military, and to see this administration doing what it’s doing, it’s breaking my heart. They’re killing people, so it’s got to stop.”He explained that the death of Alex Pretti, a nurse who worked with veterans, motivated him to attend the protest.”It was cold-blooded. They shot him in the back, and it was disgusting,” Mike said.Dylan Atzberger attended the protest partly due to the story of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, a preschooler detained by ICE in Minneapolis. “We’re all out here showing support for the families that have been affected, for the people who have been taken illegally,” Atzberger said. Others expressed concerns about a possible ICE mobilization coming to New Mexico.”We have such a high population of Hispanics or people that are immigrating here, and it’s just not fair. And I think that we should say something,” one protester said.”I taught at one of the schools here for many years, one of the middle schools, and we had kids who were here without their papers. They’re usually hardworking people, and I think a lot of them are trying to get citizenship,” Alice Webb told KOAT.The Albuquerque Police Department reported that it did not respond to any calls related to the demonstration. Protesters told KOAT they plan to continue showing up as immigration enforcement remains a concern across the country.
Protesters gathered at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque on Friday to rally against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal immigration tactics, expressing their concerns over recent incidents and potential mobilizations.
The protest lasted about two and a half hours, with participants marching around Central Avenue, chanting, and carrying signs and flags before regrouping downtown.
Mike, a protester, said, “I spent 27 years in the military, and to see this administration doing what it’s doing, it’s breaking my heart. They’re killing people, so it’s got to stop.”
He explained that the death of Alex Pretti, a nurse who worked with veterans, motivated him to attend the protest.
“It was cold-blooded. They shot him in the back, and it was disgusting,” Mike said.
Dylan Atzberger attended the protest partly due to the story of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, a preschooler detained by ICE in Minneapolis.
“We’re all out here showing support for the families that have been affected, for the people who have been taken illegally,” Atzberger said.
Others expressed concerns about a possible ICE mobilization coming to New Mexico.
“We have such a high population of Hispanics or people that are immigrating here, and it’s just not fair. And I think that we should say something,” one protester said.
“I taught at one of the schools here for many years, one of the middle schools, and we had kids who were here without their papers. They’re usually hardworking people, and I think a lot of them are trying to get citizenship,” Alice Webb told KOAT.
The Albuquerque Police Department reported that it did not respond to any calls related to the demonstration.
Protesters told KOAT they plan to continue showing up as immigration enforcement remains a concern across the country.
