A rally was held in New Haven to protest recent shootings by immigration enforcement officers and to speak out against growing concerns about ICE violence in the area.

Local Concerns

The event, organized by Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA), was attended by roughly 30 people who gathered outside the federal courthouse downtown to decry the recent shooting deaths of two men by federal immigration officers.

A local attorney, Alex Taubes, spoke at the rally, stating that the actions of ICE agents were not law enforcement, but rather terrorism on the streets. State Rep. Pat Dillon also spoke, saying that the trust between the city and the federal government has been lost.

Personal Stories

A ULA member, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his personal experience of being violently apprehended by ICE agents in June. The man’s wrist was broken during the arrest, and he was detained for several days without receiving medical attention.

John Lugo, the leader of ULA, translated the man’s story from Spanish to English and emphasized the human cost of immigration enforcement and the consequences of denying people timely medical care while in custody.

Call to Action

The rally served as an opportunity for local leaders to speak out against ICE enforcement and to call for action. The event was attended by three Democrats running for the 92nd General Assembly District, who all spoke out against ICE and advocated for the protection of immigrant rights.

Taubes recognized Rep. Dillon for supporting state legislation that requires ICE officers to identify themselves to the public. The legislation was cited in a lawsuit filed by one of Taubes’ clients, a former Yale student who was injured by undercover ICE agents.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.