ICE protesters in CR pose no threat

I am struggling to find the right word here, but the one that keeps coming to mind is ludicrous. I have been attending the morning protests at ICE DHS headquarters in Cedar Rapids, organized by Catholic Worker. Protesters, armed only with signs, talk, sing, and listen. We cheer loudly when we see our immigrant neighbors come back out the front door; safe, we hope, for another year. Clergy from different faiths and elected officials are among us.

Many, if not most of the protesters, like myself, are on the far side of 60. Gray is the dominant hair color. In contrast, on the other side of the yellow police tape (soon to be a seven-foot high fence), hair color unknown, are ICE and DHS. They are younger, beefier, masked. They wear combat gear and large boots, armed with weapons which I can’t identify, and who knows what else. They are suited up and ready for action. No talking, no singing, probably no smiling — who can tell?

The contrast between us and them is as ludicrous as the idea of a fence. But perhaps their desire for a fence should be viewed as a complement; a testament to our strength and the power of our peaceful, ongoing presence. Fence or not, we’ll still be there, gray hair and all, talking, singing, listening, and bearing witness.

Joan Schnabel

Iowa City