Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people filled downtown Burlington on Friday afternoon, united in their opposition to the Trump administration’s haphazard and sometimes violent immigration-enforcement efforts. Cries of “Fuck ICE,” a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rang out as people young and old gathered on Church Street in front of City Hall, armed with signs and anger about current events. The rally was meant to be the culmination of a national strike on Friday with “no school, no work and no shopping” to protest the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis. “The increasing violence of the state against immigrants and its own citizens has us all at a crossroads,” one speaker said outside City Hall. “Will we wait for a few minor concessions from the ruling class, like the change-out of one ICE leader for another?” “NOOOO,” the crowd roared in response. “Or will we show them what the power of the people really looks like?” she asked, eliciting cheers. “If we want to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to shut it down!” Hundreds of students, from grade-school to college, braved single-digit temperatures to hear speakers and march down Church Street. Organizers in neon vests handed out hand warmers and hot drinks while one speaker led the crowd in song. “The danger of authoritarian fascism is real, and it is here,” said state Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky (P/D-Chittenden-Central). “We are all in peril, and the time is right now to stand up to say, ‘No more.’” She added, “We must go beyond rallies, beyond asking nicely, and we must begin real resistance.” The throng marched up Church Street, waving signs that read, “Renee Good. ICE Bad,” “No Human Is Illegal,” “This ICE Must Melt” and “We Are the Power.” One sign said “Free Hussien,” a reference to a Somali cab driver who ICE detained earlier this month while he worked outside the Burlington airport. “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here,” the crowd chanted. “No justice, no peace. Get ICE off our streets!” Some stores, including Golden Hour and Frog Hollow, put up signs saying they’d close from 3 to 4 p.m., the scheduled time of the rally, while other shops became impromptu warming centers for chilly protesters. At the top of Church Street, the crowd looped back down South Winooski Avenue, stopping traffic along the way, before ending back in front of City Hall. See more photos from the protest below: Protesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha GoldsteinProtesters on Friday in Burlington Credit: Sasha Goldstein The post ‘ICE Out’ Rally Draws Huge Crowd in Burlington appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less