GALLERY: Athens protests ICE downtown

Athens residents gathered downtown on Feb. 8 to protest the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protest was organized in cooperation between the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Party, Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, Athens Party for Socialism and Liberation and other groups. It took place at city hall, where protesters marched through downtown and finished at the postal building. Ella Blakely is a member of the AIRC and helped organize the event.

“I think we had a great turnout. It was really great to see how the energy shifted, from people being timid at the start of the march to really getting loud and strong, and feeling their collective power,” Blakely said.

Junior Jordy Garfias, attended the protest to show support for his parents.

“I showed out because they couldn’t. I needed to be there because they would want me to, and I know they couldn’t. Right now they’re scared just to drive or to go to work. I had the opportunity, so I went, I took it, I spoke out,” Garfias said.

Caption by Eli Stone. Photos by Julianna Robledo-Briseno and Eli Stone.