Hundreds protest in Moore Square, Raleigh, demanding an end to ‘brutal’ federal immigration raids

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: Hundreds of protesters packed Moore Square and marched through downtown Raleigh on Tuesday, November 18, demanding an end to federal immigration raids across the Triangle and calling the raids a "direct, brutal attack" on family and friends.

The protest follows the arrests of more than 200 people in Charlotte by Border Patrol agents between Saturday, November 15, and Monday, November 17. The Department of Homeland Security listed gang membership, assault, and weapons charges among the arrests.

 Raleigh protesters denounce ICE raids and Border Patrol surge

The protesters carried signs in English and Spanish, objecting to the US Border Patrol’s presence. The slogans read "Racists ain’t safe in the Dirty South" and "For everyone that you arrest, a hundred more will show up next."

Immigration rights groups confirmed that federal agents detained at least 12 Triangle residents on Tuesday, including individuals in Raleigh, Durham, and Cary. During the protest, participants repeatedly chanted, “ICE out of Raleigh now! ICE out of Durham now!” and “No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state!”, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Kaitlyn Polansky of Fuquay-Varina called the Border Patrol presence "insanity", holding a sign that read "Hands Off Our Neighborhoods", per The News & Observer.

"This is not the country I was raised in. This is not the country I was taught about," she said. She also questioned whether there is freedom and justice for all today. The back of her sign read, "Prison without due process is tyranny. Put ICE on ice."

Polansky added that being at the protest shows her "that I’m not alone in thinking our country is heading in the wrong direction."

Raleigh protesters stay peaceful as anti-ICE chants grow

The protesters remained peaceful throughout the Moore Square gathering and during their march to the Capitol and back.

An emotional organizer told the crowd, "It is a direct, brutal attack on friends and families like mine and yours."

Meanwhile, Emma DeJoseph, a 16-year-old high school student from Zebulon, wore a toilet costume with a sign reading "Flush ICE." DeJoseph said she finished her homework and then headed to the protest with her mother.

Her mother, Alisa, said, "It’s scary right now, scary times." She added, "So to come out and help support people who are afraid to support themselves is really important."

The protesters filled Hargett Street and headed to the Capitol, chanting "People power" as Raleigh police cars blocked intersections to keep vehicles away. A protester, Dinah Wells of Raleigh, said she saw federal agents outside her neighbors’ townhouse on Tuesday and left a note telling them not to answer the door.

"Even as a Black woman, I know what it’s like to be profiled. No one should live in fear," she said.