Protesters in the streets of the Ironbound, Newark, for the “ICE Out” march on November 7, 2026. (Photo Credit, Ryan Novosielski for Public Square Amplified)
On Saturday, November 7th, community members, local activists, and organizers took to the streets of Ironbound, Newark, for the “Ice Out” march, demanding ICE out of Ironbound and New Jersey. The march, planned with Cosecha NJ, a national movement fighting for the protection of undocumented immigrants, and supported by By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), among other advocacy groups, aimed to defend democracy and demand accountability from elected officials on the current draconian immigration laws and raids.
“This is a place where people come from all over the world to build a new life. When they come here, and they’re getting kidnapped and intimidated, that’s no way to live. Nobody should say that’s acceptable,” said Karl Schwartz, the Vice President of the Newark Public Library Workers Union. “As a librarian, I’m on the front lines every day in this community. It is appalling that people are afraid to go out in public because a masked ICE agent might pull them off the street.”
Ironbound has been one of the hardest-hit areas by ICE. Hundreds of marchers carried signs with pictures of loved ones detained by agents, community members who died in ICE custody, and statistics on ICE medical neglect. As the agency makes unwarranted surprise incursions into neighborhoods, the demand for stronger democratic institutions and human rights protections heightens. In fact, an ACLU report demonstrated that ICE employs authoritarian tactics such as suppressing dissent and consolidating executive power to carry out immigration raids and deportations.
Protesters in the streets of the Ironbound, Newark, for the “ICE Out” march on November 7, 2026. (Photo Credit, Ryan Novosielski for Public Square Amplified)
Similar protests calling for stronger and more just democratic processes took the streets across the tristate area. The “March For Our Democracy” event in Times Square was one of many events calling for the protection of the electoral process by elected officials. The coalition Hands Off NYC, along with groups including Indivisible, the ACLU of New York, and NYC Democratic Socialists of America, organized the march, where community members demanded election protection and accurate vote counts.
The call for election integrity comes at a time when 51% of Americans lack certainty in electoral honesty, according to the Gallup World Poll. Contributors to the figure include fears that legitimate voters will be denied access to the polls and technological threats such as hacking.
Fears of ICE near polling locations have been particularly widespread, with ICE activity having surged near polling sites across the country. In a statement to NPR, Juan Proaño of the League of United Latin American Citizens said that "Mass enforcement actions could be away from the polls, but with social media and the news, it could be enough to dissuade somebody from actually going out to vote."
Part of Hands Off NYC’s mission is to safeguard communities from ICE raids, incursions and arrests by providing free in-person and virtual know-your-rights and ICE response training. Their election defense work is integrated with the fight for immigrant justice: “The attacks on our communities and our elections are deeply connected,” the coalition states on their website. “They’re doing everything they can to make us feel isolated and powerless.”
In a similar vein, the Oranges’ Community Coalition held a march on the same day on Main Street from West Orange to East Orange, demanding ICE out of their communities and expressing support for the national NAACP campaign DRY ICE. DRY ICE urges the United States Senate to block any policy that grants federal funding to ICE and mobilizes community members, activists, and organizers nationwide, such as The Oranges’ Community Coalition. The coalition includes The HUUB, Laundry Workers Center, UofOrange, FAITH+WORKS UU Congregation of Orange, and NAACP: Oranges & Maplewood Branch, among other organizations and faith groups.
“I think that as a nation, if you're not prioritizing the most urgent needs, then what are we really doing?” Said Finella Jarvis, a volunteer at The HUUB and Ben Jones Community Gardens. I've always had a human first mentality. If there is a fight of any human in our community, it may not be my direct community, but essentially it is, right? Because we're all one people.”
In a statement urging individuals to join in solidarity, the coalition reports that ICE has put 108 Orange, 51 East Orange, and 15 West Orange residents in detention, stating that these numbers are likely significant undercounts.
“We believe in the inherent dignity of all people, and this truth fuels our desire to respond to the needs of our local community. We’ve supported our neighbors at Delaney Hall, supporting families, visiting loved ones, patrolling our streets on the West Orange and Orange border to keep our neighbors safe. This work has brought us together,” said Stephanie Laudone-Jones, a member of the mutual aid group West Orange Aiding Neighbors.
Across the movements, the core message reminds newly and previously elected officials of their role in protecting democratic institutions— the issues afflicting the communities they represent must be seen and taken seriously, including the fight for immigrant rights throughout our country.
“Showing up, holding our elected officials and our community leaders accountable, and keeping these issues at the forefront is not a one time thing. It has to be a consistent effort across the board within the entire community,” Jarvis continued. “We have our signs, we have our chance, and we want the community to know that we’re here.”
