A coalition of justice organizations will be out in force on Friday, Jan. 30, demonstrating in solidarity with Minneapolis to abolish Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and shut down their operations at 31 Hopkins Plaza. The action will take place at 2 p.m. in front of the George Fal lon Federal Building, 31 Hopkins Plaza, where ICE has a field office. Indivisible Baltimore, Free State Coalition, Greater Baltimore DSA, and other groups are “in total opposition to the kidnappings in our streets and the human rights violations in our backyard,” referring to the detention of people at 31 Hopkins Plaza. Fueling anger among Marylanders is a video that has circulated purportedly showing an overcrowded ICE holding room with dozens of people, many of them lying on the floor. A DHS spokesperson blamed the conditions on the weather having delayed transfer of detainees. Advocates, however, have been hearing about inhumane treatment and conditions since Donald Trump took office early last year. “This moment requires us ALL to show up and make it unmistakable that we are united in rejecting the cruelty of ICE,” reads the Free State Coalition website advertising the action. “Together, we will win.” This also comes at a time when Maryland lawmakers are challenging DHS in their own way. They want answers about how DHS plans to use the building it bought in Hagerstown, fearing the warehouse will be used to house detainees. In the Maryland Senate, panels advanced bills to ban agreements with ICE, and to prohibit face coverings for law enforcement. For people planning to protest on Friday, or any time, the ACLU has information and guidance on knowing one’s rights regarding speech, assembly, recording, and more. Also attendees should dress for the weather, which is expected to include record-low temperatures for this time of year. ...read more read less