GASTONIA, N.C. — Protesters in Gastonia made their voices heard Wednesday afternoon, calling for new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement as Congress prepares to vote on a Department of Homeland Security funding bill.
The protest was organized by Indivisible Gaston outside Congressman Tim Moore’s office. Demonstrators say they want Moore to require “guardrails” on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity before approving any DHS spending.
“We really need restrictions on ICE activity in order to approve any DHS funding bill,” said Jackie Radford, a community organizer with Indivisible Gaston.
Protesters held signs and chanted about why they believe stricter oversight of ICE is necessary. Many voiced concerns about tactics they say have gone too far.
“We need no masks. We need them to obey the Constitution,” Radford added. “You cannot detain U.S. citizens without due process, you cannot knock down doors, you cannot teargas peaceful protestors or people who are just observing and filming.”
Some demonstrators also went inside Moore’s office to hand-deliver letters outlining their demands.
“We’re very concerned about what’s going on in Minneapolis. They did a brief surge of Border Patrol in Charlotte and that spilled over to Gastonia. We’re concerned that there are rumors that they’ll be back,” explained protester Ann Doss Helms.
Another protester encouraged civic engagement as part of the demonstration. “Early voting starts tomorrow. Vote. I hope people just wake up and vote,” said Linda Burke.
The protest comes as a new NBC News poll shows growing public disapproval of ICE, with nearly three-quarters of adults saying they want the agency reformed or abolished.
Organizers say today’s protest is only the beginning.
“Hopefully, we get what we want. If we don’t, we continue to protest. We’re not stopping,” Radford said.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to Congressman Moore’s office for comment, but did not receive a response.
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