NYC Vigil Honors ICE Victims, Demands Abolition of ICE

A somber counterpoint to a large demonstration calling for the abolition of ICE unfolded on a frigid Thursday evening in New York City. While 25,000 marched in Lower Manhattan, approximately 2,000 people gathered outside a Veterans Affairs hospital on 1st Avenue and East 23rd Street to commemorate those who have died during what some describe as “Donald Trump’s war on migrants.” The vigil took place amidst a snowstorm, with temperatures at 19 degrees, creating a palpable sense of unease across the city.

A Gathering of Grief and Protest

The vigil, which began around 5 p.m., was organised by a coalition of labor and community organizations, including National Nurses United (NNU), New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), Doctors Council, and unions representing federal employees, teachers, and veterans. The event drew a diverse crowd, with attendees representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and professions. Many nurses were present, identifiable by their NNU and NYSNA crimson attire, as they were in the third week of a strike.

Did You Know? Alex Pretti, whose name was repeatedly invoked during the vigil, worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs, similar to one of the attendees, Naomi.

Attendees expressed a range of emotions, from grief and outrage to a determined sense of solidarity. One attendee, identified as Jorge, cautiously shared that he was not a citizen and expressed his anger over the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, as well as others who have experienced violence at the hands of ICE. Naomi, a former journalist and pre-school teacher, spoke of feeling “terror” and a need to act, inspired by the bravery of people in Minneapolis.

Remembering the Fallen

A central element of the vigil was the recitation of names – the names of those who have died in ICE custody. Speakers led the crowd in repeating the names of Geraldo Lunas Campos, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, Parady La, Victor Manuel Diaz, Heber Sanchez Domínguez, Keith Porter, Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti. Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, stated that over 30 immigrants have died or been murdered in ICE custody, and described the deaths of Pretti and Good as “executions.”

Expert Insight: The repeated recitation of names at the vigil underscores a deliberate effort to humanize those impacted by ICE actions and to counter narratives that might obscure the individual tragedies involved. This practise is common in memorial events and serves to create a collective sense of grief and responsibility.

The atmosphere was described as one of unity and love, with attendees linking arms, sharing candles, and singing songs like Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis.” Esther Gottesman, a New Yorker, American, and public school teacher, emphasized the importance of standing up for one another and fighting for what is right. Oliver, a recent mechanical engineering graduate, called for all Americans and immigrants to participate in such demonstrations.

As the vigil concluded, attendees created a memorial at the hospital wall, placing candles, flowers, and photographs of ICE’s victims. A sign read, “May we all be granted your courage.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the vigil?

The vigil was held to commemorate those who have died during what was described as “Donald Trump’s war on migrants” and specifically to honour Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who recently died in connection with ICE actions.

Who organised the vigil?

The vigil was organised by a coalition of labor and community organizations, including National Nurses United (NNU), New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), Doctors Council, and unions representing federal employees, teachers, and veterans.

How many people attended the vigil?

According to the New York Daily News, approximately 2,000 people attended the vigil.

What role might events like this play in shaping future discourse and action regarding immigration policy?