Stand Up Lorain County hosts icy anti-ICE protest in Avon

AVON — Wrapped up to ward off late morning temperatures that barely topped the mid-teens, 25 people stood on the snowy shoulder of Nagel Road on Saturday afternoon to protest federal immigration enforcement and the Trump administration. The peaceful protesters, organized by Stand Up Lorain County, held signs criticizing immigration agents as they drank hot coffee and waved at motorists who honked in support. Organizer Nichole Geibel, with the North Ridgeville Democrats, said a total of about 40 people showed up for Saturday's event. Though there were a few middle fingers thrown in the direction of the protest, Geibel said with a laugh and a shrug, the response from passing motorists and their passengers was almost entirely positive. Many of the protesters held signs decrying federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and their recent actions. ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens in Minneapolis in the past month: Renée Good, 37, on Jan. 7, and Alex Pretti, 37, on Jan. 24. "ICE TRUMPS HIRED THUGS" read one large sign, held by a protester on the southwest corner of the intersection. "ABOLISH ICE! (For Renée) GOOD!! NO FASCISM NO TRUMP!!" a second one read. "ICE OUT FOR GOOD" read a third. ICE is "top of mind right now," Geibel said. Jim Slone, a longtime United Auto Workers official and president of the Lorain County Community Action Program Council, stood among the protesters holding an anti-ICE and anti-Trump sign. He had a box full of free whistles hanging on a string around his neck. Protesters in multiple American cities have been using the whistles to warn people that ICE agents are in their areas. Events like Saturday's are intended "to protect democracy" and to protect "the freedoms so many people have fought for and died for" including the First Amendment, Slone said. He expressed disgust that President Trump shared a racist video on his TruthSocial account that depicted former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. "Racism has no place in this country whatsoever," Slone said. The next peaceful protest is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 21 at Amherst Town Hall, 206 S. Main St. in Amherst. Protesters should dress warm, Geibel said. Anyone interested in participating can email her at geibel.nrdems@gmail.com, she said. More protests are scheduled on weekends through May in Avon, Avon Lake, Columbia Township, Elyria, LaGrange, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield, Vermilion and Westlake. "Peaceful protest is essential to democracy because it turns frustration into participation," Geibel wrote in the email announcing the protest schedule. "It's how people exercise their rights, protect accountability and stand together when their voices might otherwise be ignored." Avon Democratic Club Chairwoman Lisa Mackin said her club will host guest speaker Bryan Hambley, Democratic candidate for Ohio Secretary of State this year, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Avon Branch of the Lorain Publicy Library, 37485 Harvest Drive in Avon. All are welcome to attend, she said. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com