Activists take to streets to protest ICE in Southeast Baltimore

Todd Karpovich and Stella Canino-Quinones, The Baltimore Sun on Jun 11, 2025

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BALTIMORE — Over 100 activists from diverse backgrounds filled the streets of Highlandtown, banging drums, carrying signs, and chanting “ICE out of Baltimore” in protest of deportation efforts targeting residents performing everyday activities like shopping for groceries or buying gasoline.

The Wednesday rally, sponsored by the immigrant advocacy organization CASA, featured local families affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE, alongside Baltimore City council members Odette Ramos, Mark Parker and Jermaine Jones and state Del. Robbyn Lewis, who each became emotional when talking about the impact of ICE on Baltimore neighborhoods.

Several of the residents wore shirts that read “Jews United for Justice” and others carried placards saying “Immigrants Are Essential” and “Families Belong Together, Not in Cages.” The mass of activists marched down blocks of Fayette Street, sometimes tying up traffic but also receiving honks of approval from the waiting motorists.

“As you can imagine, I am angry. All of you should be angry,” said Ramos, who grew teary at times. “Our neighbors are being treated so inhumanely only because they are not from here. And if they are coming for them, they are coming for us.”

Ramos blamed the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy. “It is unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable,” she said.

CASA reported 16 undocumented individuals have been taken by ICE in retail areas for the past three weeks in Baltimore.

One of these instances was part of the viral video clip posted by the White House showing the arrest of five individuals at Home Depot on Eastern Avenue on May 20.

The nonprofit organization also reported ICE agents taking an unknown amount of people at the Hazlo grocery store in Highlandtown Village on three different days. Baltimore communities have reported an escalation in ICE detentions in the past few weeks.

“No human being is illegal here, and I think what ICE is doing currently, especially our current administration, is very inhumane,” said Erika Rios, a protester from Prince George’s County. “Refuge is a human right. A lot of people come here for a better life that their economy or political status from their country isn’t providing for them.”

ICE officials could not be reached for comment.

Lewis, who represents the sixth legislative district, grew teary-eyed as she spoke about how the individuals being targeted by ICE are similar to African Americans who escaped enslavement in this country through the Underground Railroad. The former slaves were helped to freedom by good neighbors, she said.

“The tactics that are being used today to terrorize our neighborhood residents, Marylanders, have been used and perfected in this country against African Americans,” Lewis said. “And those abolitionists went out of their way because their strong morality helped us. So it was my destiny to live in this moment so I can use my energy to help others. This is the way of thanking the abolitionists who helped my ancestors.”

Protests initially erupted in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids. In response, President Donald Trump called in the National Guard troops and Marines to restore order.

Demonstrations have now spread to other cities, such as Baltimore, Washington, Seattle and Austin. Many protests have been peaceful but there have been clashes with police that have resulted in arrests.

Bishop Angel Nuñez of the Bilingual Christian Fellowship pointed out that the activists in Baltimore were peaceful and not resorting to violence.

One resident who identified himself as Dedrick worried the protests and marches would provoke those in power.

“This is going to make them angry,” he said on the street as the activists marched past him. “I understand, you’re angry and this is the only way you know how to do it. March. My people did it and see where it got us: Martin Luther King got killed.”

Others noted the protests were needed to stop the aggressive enforcement.

“We are losing families that were doing the work that some of us refuse to do: clean your house, cut your grass, clean fish for you, your restaurants, the good foods,” said Garry Bien-Aime, executive director of the Committee Haiti, a nonprofit in Baltimore advocating for the Haitian community.

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