In organizing a street theater performance in front of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Burlington this week, activists from western Massachusetts relayed, both orally and in writing, the names and personal accounts of some of those who have been detained during ongoing immigration raids in the state.
“We’ve found it’s a way to reach people at a different level,” said Alice Levine of Easthampton, who, as a member of Jewish Activists for Immigration Justice, helped coordinate the nearly two-hour trip to join a standout that has been ongoing for almost 40 weeks.
“It was very emotional to be there, to be where people are being held, being detained and being separated from their families,” said Joan Epstein of Pelham. “It is acting illegally as a detention facility, and most people who are being kidnapped by ICE are processed there, in inhumane conditions.”
With the occasional beat of a drum after a name is mentioned, conveying a somewhat spiritual feel, those at the protest observed that 4,258 state residents, so far, are verified as having been picked up by ICE officers this year across Massachusetts.
“Even people very involved on immigration issues are shocked at the numbers in Massachusetts,” Levine said.
Alongside other speakers and music, as well as a march, the activists gathered outside the nondescript office building, where inside people could be processed, and some likely being held. Their names and accounts are drawn from a national website “Disappeared in America,” as well as stories published in local newspapers, Levine said.
“Our signs tell the story of someone abducted by ICE,” Epstein said. “The reason we’re telling stories of people is they are the best way to touch people’s hearts, to bring it home to people.
“It’s important to personalize it, to make people aware they are our neighbors, they are members of our community,” Epstein said.
This week marked the first time a full contingent from western Massachusetts journeyed east, with 90 people signed up. Levine said the standout in Burlington started with two people and has grown to as many as 750.
Fifty area residents joined 450 people on Wednesday, after about 40 area residents went the day before on behalf of Juan David Quichimbo Sumba, a Springfield resident who was detained during a check-in at that ICE facility, despite a recent court order allowing him to remain in the country while submitting a support brief.
While not a detention facility like the only one in Massachusetts, located in Plymouth, Levine said the Burlington site offers a close-up of some part of what is happening, with ICE and Department of Homeland Security vehicles parked there.
During the first Trump administration, Epstein and Levine were among those who went to the Homestead, Florida facility to observe the temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children. They also visited the Texas border where immigrants were being processed in Matamoros, Mexico.
“Two hours away is not far for us,” Epstein said.
Others join in
Those who went to Burlington left from a few locations in the region, including Northampton and Greenfield.
Cate Woolner of Gill was among those who carpooled from Franklin County. Being present outside the ICE facility made it feel worthwhile, she said, adding that ICE appears to be indiscriminate, with enforcement targeting mostly those with brown skin and others who may not speak perfect English.
“What bothers me the most is the complete lack of due process, the running roughshod over our constitutional protections, and there doesn’t seem a way to stop it yet,” Woolner said.
Woolner said she and others were shocked to learn that some of those detained are provided only 400 calories per day, with one person holding up a muffin from Dunkin’ that has more calories.
Also meeting up in Greenfield was Barbara Tiner of Leverett, who mentioned being saddened by both the number of people picked up by ICE and the plight of Juan David.
“It’s important to draw attention to the cruelty and unfairness of what is happening in our state,” Tiner said.
The action highlighted what is happening and what people have been put through. Tiner noted that Alex Rikleen, who is running for U.S. Senate against Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic primary, also spoke.
“It was pretty powerful,” Tiner said.
Rabbi Ben Weiner of the Jewish Community of Amherst said members of the congregation are strong on immigration justice and he felt it was important to offer support for the lay leaders.
“I was honored to accompany my congregants who are such passionate activists and see humanity in people who are being treated so poorly by our government,” Weiner said.
While the JCA is nonpartisan and often stays out of political matters, on this it’s beyond politics.
“The specter of ICE raids, the lack of humanity, the lack of due process, I felt it was an opportune time to follow their lead,” said Weiner, who lives in Deerfield. “There’s a pretty broad consensus that this not being done right, that it’s cruel, inhumane and you might even say anti-American.”
Doris Cohen, a member of Congregation B’nai Israel of Northampton, also applauded those who made the journey, observing her devastation from witnessing Juan David being put into an ICE vehicle.
“It was very different from reading about these things, and I never thought I’d see something like this in this country,” Cohen said, adding that joining protests is critical. “We can never give up or we are doomed.
What’s next
Levine said she felt like the car caravans represented a great mobilization that could continue with regular visits to Burlington.
The action met four goals, she said, which were to stand up for those who may be being abused, to advocate for children who may fear going to school and teens who now may have to serve as breadwinners for families, to support those from across the state who can use the extra help and to increase activism in Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.
Levine said this is also offering hope for those who have been impacted and their loved ones. “We’re foremost there to support families and people in detention,” Levine said.
For those who don’t have the time or ability to regularly be part of an action in another part of Massachusetts, Tiner pointed to related efforts, like the Stop Massport ICE Flights Campaign, which is trying to prevent the flights from Hanscom Field in Bedford that have brought 2,000 or more people from Massachusetts to holding facilities in Texas and Louisiana.
Writing letters to politicians is also sensible. “I do think that it makes a difference,” Tiner said.
Woolner said she would encourage people to communicate with elected leaders in the state, observing that U.S. Rep. James McGovern, whose district includes Greenfield, Northampton and Amherst, has been responsive, that Markey has toured the Burlington facility and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren also wants to know more about what is going on.
“Taking an action like this makes me feel better,” Woolner said. “It’s a dark time in American history and it’s easy to feel despair.”
