STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Somber outrage over the shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent spilled over onto Hailey’s Main Street Saturday.

Nearly 200 people turned out for what had been dubbed an “Emergency Protest” following what many said was a seemingly senseless shooting of a mother who had just dropped off her 6-year-old at day care.

Among them was Cliff Cunha, who was at home when he learned of the shooting. As he watched news footage, he knew he had to act.

“We are here because a woman was killed,” said James Peters, who attend the protest with his sister Emme and mother Jenny.

“All the lies by the President and Vice President and Kristi Noem—they’re trying to hide what really happened,” he said as he held a sign that said “SHAME,” with tears of blood running down the white poster board. “I’m so glad to see the turnout today.”

News outlets said that more than a thousand ICE Out protests took place in all 50 states Saturday. Hundreds turned out at Boise City Hall on Thursday night.

Wood River Valley residents have attended several protests, including No Kings protests and a protest rallying in defense of civil workers since Donald Trump took office last January. The No Kings rallies were exuberant, even joyful, despite the fact rallygoers said they were protesting a President whose actions resembled that of Adolph Hitler or a tyrannical king.

Saturday’s protest, by contrast, was subdued, as protesters had been brought together by a woman who had been shot in the head.

Lydia Missal with Fabiola Velasco stood for democracy and for those who cannot stand up  for themselves.

“I’m thinking a lot about a woman who can no longer make simple decisions about life, like even what she’s going to have for dinner,” said Susan Gianettino. “They took that away from her.”

“It could have been you or me backing up, trying to get away,” added Carol Brown.

Bellevue resident Marie Stewart noted that she had gotten her U.S. citizenship during President Trump’s first term because of the fear and uncertainty surrounding immigrants.

“I’ve been here 40 years. My son was born here, and I don’t want to lose my house, my town or be a target of hatred,” she said. “Now, we have someone getting shot in the face—just another in a long string of horrible stories about what ICE is doing against innocent citizens. We have to stand up.”

The ICE Pick sign provided a satirical look at the actions of ICE over the past year.

Protesters say the daily news has become emotional and exhausting, and it’s sapping energy.

“So many ICE agents are filled with anger,” said Christine Leidecker. “And it’s getting out of hand. When is it going to stop?”

Fabiola Velasco said she left Mexico 29 years ago—like so many, to find her American dream and support families back home. Now, she lives with fear, even though she is quick to point out,” We are not criminals.”

“I came here in 1996 to work and for a good life and to make the American dream,” said Velasco, who owns her own business. “You do your work, and I do my work and all of us—we are America. We are Americans—Americans from Mexico, American-Mexican-Americans.”

Laura Hubbard begged for “No Secret Pol-ICE.”

James Peters and his sister Emme—both elementary school students--turned out with signs that said, “When Cruelty Becomes Normal, Compassion Looks Radical,” and “No ICE.” It was not their first protest.

“We talk very openly with our children about what is happening with the government right now. And we tell them that it’s important to use your voice, to speak up,” said their mother Jenny Peters.

Some of the signs protesters carried asked for prayers for Renee Nicole Good, who lost her life on a snowy street in Minneapolis, while others asked people to “Stand for Good” and “Trust Your Eyes, Not their Lies.” Char Roth’s sign pleaded for ICE to “Stop Killing.”

Many signs compared ICE to Hitler’s goons: “ICE is the new Gestapo,” said one sign. And “I will not be the one who did nothing in the face of atrocities,” said another.

“Respect Existence or Expect Resistance,” said one sign. ”Democracy doesn’t defend itself,” said another. “ICE melts in hell,” said one sign, while another said, “I prefer ICE crushed.”

Some rallygoers did not carry signs but, instead, waved American flags. Among them, Patti Doerr who waved a flag that towered over her.

“We need to take back our flag,” she said. “They do not own our flag.”

Marion Monge held a sign that said “ICE Out for Good.”

“I just hope things change for the best,” she said.

FREE AMERICA WALKOUT RALLY

Some Wood River Valley residents are staging a peaceful protest in conjunction with rallies being held nationwide on Saturday, Jan. 20. The America Walkout for Our Freedoms rally will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the northwest corner of McKercher Boulevard and Main Street at Albertsons in Hailey.

It is being held in conjunction with the Women’s March.