The Schuylkill County Democratic Committee (SCDC) has organized a rally and candlelight vigil to protest recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Scheduled for January 20, 2024, the event will take place at Garfield Square on West Market Street in Pottsville from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. This initiative aims to raise awareness about ICE’s operations, which have drawn significant attention both nationally and locally.
The upcoming event combines the “No Kings” rally, part of a broader movement opposing the Trump Administration, with a solemn candlelight vigil. Previous rallies have occurred, the most recent on October 18, 2023, but SCDC Chairman Todd Zimmerman emphasizes that this event will also honor victims of ICE raids. The vigil will specifically address the tragic incident involving Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, an event that has ignited protests across the country.
Zimmerman noted that the SCDC does not oppose ICE entirely, acknowledging that deportations are warranted for individuals who are in the country illegally or who have committed crimes. He stated, “We all agree on that.” However, he expressed concern regarding the lack of due process in many cases, including incidents of racial profiling and ICE’s approach to individuals in workplaces and educational institutions.
“We are for a strong border, for legal immigration,” Zimmerman continued, advocating for a bipartisan immigration bill reminiscent of those created during previous administrations. The event will also highlight the stories of local residents affected by ICE raids. In the past year, two individuals from Schuylkill County have been detained: Ruben Rojas-Vargas, a Pottsville resident with 16 years in the U.S., and Saydullo Akbarov, a Schuylkill Haven resident detained in Philadelphia. Both were initially taken to the Moshannon Valley ICE Processing Center.
Attendees are encouraged to bring candles or flashlights to the vigil as a symbol of remembrance. The event’s potential divisiveness has raised concerns about safety, particularly as counter-protesters have appeared at prior No Kings rallies. Zimmerman acknowledged these concerns, stating, “I am concerned, but we have to stand up for democracy.”
The SCDC aims not only to protest current practices but also to foster dialogue around immigration policy moving forward, emphasizing the need for reforms that uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals.
