Activists protest ICE, Trump in Albertville: ‘Immigrants make America great’

Dozens of demonstrators lined the streets of downtown Albertville on Wednesday night to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policy after reports by advocacy groups of arrests in some Alabama cities and widespread federal operations in cities around the nation.

Waving American, Mexican and flags from Latin American countries — some of which were worn as capes — protesters chanted, “el pueblo unido jamas sera vencido,” (the people united will never be defeated,) “nobody is illegal on stolen land” and “no one is illegal, power to the people.”

The demonstration was organized by Reclaiming Our Time, a Marshall County nonprofit that advocates for immigrants and calls for Confederate monuments in Alabama to be removed.

Vehicles honked their horns in solidarity as the protesters held signs on the sidewalk.

Some posters turned Trump’s campaign slogan against him.

“Immigrants make America great,” one of them read.

“MAGA Christianity is anti-Jesus,” read another. “What type of visa does Jesus need?” read a third.

Others advocated for the contributions immigrants make to communities.

“Albertville would be nothing without immigrants,” read one sign.

“Albertville needs immigrants,” was emblazoned on another poster.

The north Alabama city became a breeding ground for anti-immigrant sentiment after photos of Haitian migrants being bused to neighboring poultry plants circulated in August.

The photos prompted questions about who the migrants were and where they came from, leading to what city officials called “baseless accusations, and hurtful rhetoric.”

This resulted in a series of community meetings and the formation of a non-profit.

Immigrant workers have been a focus of residents’ concerns in Athens and Sylacauga, with city officials facing questions about the effect on crime, school overcrowding and housing.

At Wednesday night’s protests, demonstrators condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for placing immigration detainers on undocumented migrants.

“Keep ICE out of schools,” one sign read, a reference to reports of agents conducted stings across the country.

Since last week, reports have emerged of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detaining undocumented immigrants being held on detainers in Baldwin County and arrests made in central and northern parts of the state.

Alabama school officials said Wednesday that they have not received any reports of ICE agents in schools. In guidance issued to superintendents Tuesday, State Superintendent Eric Mackey urged school leaders to carry on with normal activities and follow standard enrollment and attendance policies.