Beltway Area Indymedia

Audio:5 min

During afternoon rush hour on August 23, immigrants and supporters proteested at the very gates of ICE,responding to raids at the Smithfield plant, in DC-and to the arrest of Sanctuary movement activist Elvira Arellana in LA.

Elvira's arrest and near-instant deportatin were meant to "send a message" to immigrants who dare to resist. The Smithfield raid was no doubt meant to send a similar message to those who dare to stand up to slave labor and abusive workplace conditions.

ICE continued this pattern today-they waited until most North American supporters had left, then pulled up 6 carloads of ICE's jackbooted stormtroopers, who then got out, surrounded the group, and put on menacing looks. Although they did not prevent anyone from leaving, nor attempt to speak to or otherwise engage anyone, the message was clear: ICE intends to meet any resistance with brutality.

ICE also fears the community, though, as evidenced by someone from ICE who responded to being photographed on the way out by concealing her face, and others who went out of the way to avoid a borrowed camera(photos pending). Like cockroaches, they can't stand being exposed, it seems. Intimidation is a game two can play, and we know where Julie Myers(head of ICE) lives, appropriately enough in Virginia.

Speakers at the rally denounced the separation of families, announced a fund being raised to benefit Smithfield families left penniless by the deportation or detention of workers, and held up Elvira Arellana as an example of courage.

One speaker asked ICE how they'd like it if it was their own kids being left abandoned after someone took THEM into custody!