John Kyriakis, “Area Residents Hold Candelight Vigil to Protest ICE,” Dedham Times, March 6, 2026.
On a cold, rainy evening, Thursday March 5th , approximately 60 people from Neponset Valley Progressives and the Dedham Democratic Town Committee held a candlelight vigil, in front of the First Church and Parish, to protest the ongoing actions of ICE/CBP in our communities and to commemorate those killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection (ICE/CBP). Protesters gathered with signs. The bells of the First Church rang, once for each person killed by ICE/CBP action. Participants gathered to sing as well.
March 5 holds special significance as it is the anniversary of the Boston Massacre when patriots took a stand against the oppression of King George III. The protesters point out that the lawlessness and authoritarianism of the Trump administration have facilitated ICE and CBP violence.
ICE/CBP is arresting people and incarcerating them without due process, and searching private property without judicial warrants. This is unconstitutional. ICE/CBP is now adopting AI and other surveillance tech to spy not only on immigrants,
but on protesters who oppose ICE/CBP actions.
In addition to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, 40 people (32 in ICE custody, 8 in ICE “incidents”) have been killed by ICE/CBP, Thus far, ICE/CBP has arrested 328,000 people and detained close to 65,000—including children. Despite claims from the Trump
administration that it is rounding up the “worst of the worst,” fewer than 14% of those arrested have been convicted of violent crimes. According to Trac (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse) 73% held in ICE detention have no criminal record;
and as of Feb 7, 2026 many of those convicted committed minor offenses, including traffic violations.
