Nearly 100 people stood in front of the offices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sunday, for a rally in reaction to the anticipated ICE raids rumored to take place in 9 cities across the country.
Members of a group called 'Rochester Food Not Bombs' organized the event, asking people to show solidarity for immigrants and refugees potentially affected.
After hearing about the raids, organizer Alana Bowen, says she wanted a way to bring awareness that the raids could happen here in Rochester.
“Immigrants have made our communities what they are, Bowen said.
She added that, "It’s an abhorrent action and behavior to be arresting people that live in our community who are our friends who are our family and it’s our goal to keep everybody safe and to prevent these raids from happening."
Protester Jill Gussow said that people should not be afraid of immigrants living in the community.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. People are not gonna hurt you, they’re not gonna take your jobs. They’re not gonna kill you. They’re human beings just like you," Gussow said.
Rochester is a sanctuary city, and not one of the cities mentioned in the reports. If the raids should happen in the area, Deputy Mayor James Smith told WXXI News, that Immigration and Custom Enforcement will not be getting any addtional help from the local police department.