ICE protests ramp up in Buffalo!

Byline: Javohir Aminov, News Editor

On Sep. 25 at 4:30 p.m., anti-ICE protestors, part of the “Evict ICE” campaign, and Canisius University students banded together in front of the Montante Cultural Center during the Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in an effort to hold the Montante family accountable for profiting from ICE and allowing them to take residency in downtown Buffalo.

In light of all this, Canisius University stated that they are aware of the campaign's efforts that took place in front of the Montante Cultural Center, and understood that everyone, including the residents of Buffalo, has the right to express their point of view peacefully. 

The protest lasted approximately three hours, ending around 7 p.m., chanting phrases like “immigrants are welcome here” and “ICE out now”. That was until the Buffalo Police Department and Canisius University Campus Safety showed up to disperse the crowd. However, that did not stop the group, as they rallied the next day to ensure their voices were heard.

On Saturday, Sep. 26, at 5:30 p.m. at 250 Delaware Ave., the Evict ICE campaign assembled once more to fight against the renewal of ICE’s lease, resulting in eight arrests. Their lease is set to expire on March 31, 2027, which allows them to rent out office spaces in downtown Buffalo for their operations. According to Investigative Post, the lease includes that ICE is able to rent out 250 Delaware, worth $2 million annually; Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) currently resides in 300 Airborne Parkway and 200 Delaware Ave., amounting to a total of $849,000. 

The group also called attention to the renaming of the Delaware North Building to the Montante Detention Center, regarding the holding rooms that exceeded their capacity and the time period that contained children, men and women. 

A Canisius student who was present during the protest shared their insights on the matter of ICE. They stated that they hold admiration for the Evict ICE campaign and their efforts to keep ICE out of Buffalo. They are also grateful for the dedication to keep the Canisius campus safe, and hope to have more opportunities in the future to work together.

During the protest, they were “physically shaking” because of the tremendous power that the system holds. But being surrounded by her peers, who refused to back down, gave them the confidence needed to use their “privilege and platform” to protect their friends, neighbors and loved ones. They assert that they have no regrets joining the fight for people who can’t defend themselves.

Evict ICE has been working continuously to try to obtain justice for those who were detained and deported with numerous protests. They do not plan to halt their advocacy until their demands are met, which is to make Buffalo safe for all its residents. In the Canisius students final remarks, they state “I implore anyone reading this to not let oppressive systems and censorship stop you from challenging what's wrong. Use your voice now, because silence fosters a future in which we won’t be allowed to.”