DOWNTOWN BOISE — Hundreds of Idahoans gathered at the Idaho State Capitol Sunday to protest ICE's involvement in the state among many other issues. Idaho 50501, a state grassroots organization, organized the protest.
WATCH: Hear from attendees at the protest
The event featured speakers from Idaho 50501, Indivisible, the ACLU, BABE VOTE, and IPLSA.
“I am a teacher and a lot of my population are immigrants and children of immigrants, so it’s really important for me to stand up for them," said Hailey Bray, who lives in Boise.
“We have a really vulnerable population here of immigrants that give a lot to our community and are what make our community great," said Chelsea Pack, who lives on the Boise Bench. “Their humanity is just dismissed and disregarded, and we’re pissed."
Many attendees told Idaho News 6 they came to show their support for Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minnesota last week.
“I think it’s really scary that American citizens and innocent people are being shot in the street," said Bray.
“I think it would’ve been easy for the agent to step aside; there was no need to take the person's life," said Kelly Temple, who lives in Boise. “By the way, I am a Republican, and I am here."
RELATED | ICE agent shoots and kills woman during Minneapolis immigration crackdown
The protest was also met with criticism — our Facebook post about the event received more than 1,900 comments saying things like quote “No one is above the law… whether you agree with them or not… they are the law” and “I support ICE but also respect their opinion” along with many others voicing support for ICE.
Idaho lawmakers have defended the Trump administration's pro-ICE stance, including Idaho Governor Brad Little.
“There’s more people that disagree and that are pissed than I think they want to let on," added Pack.
“I hope that the people are paying attention, and I hope more things like this happen," said Bray.
Organizers say the demonstration was to argue "against brutality and unconstitutional actions."
RELATED | Boise crowds gather in protest after fatal ICE involved shooting in Minneapolis
