CUMBERLAND — Community members gathered at the Allegany County Courthouse on Washington Street Tuesday as a part of a nationwide Free America Walkout protest. At least 50 people gathered holding signs and listening to speeches in frigidly cold weather.
U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney and representatives for U.S. Sens. Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen spoke at the event. Each speaker condemned ICE activity in Western Maryland as alleged reports of ICE sightings in Cumberland spread on social media.
“Well, this was a national day of protest, a walkout for a free America because the fascist Trump government is destroying what’s left of democracy in this country, and Americans need to stand up,” organizer Ellen McDaniel Weissler said.
“And it was important that we show that even here in deep red Allegany County, there is a progressive and Democratic presence.”
Rally-goers sang the song “If I had a Hammer,” which was popularized during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
“If I had a hammer I’d hammer in the morning I’d hammer in the evening All over this land I’d hammer out danger I’d hammer out a warning I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters All over this land,” the lyrics go.
“It’s really important that we have these types of gatherings,” McClain Delaney said.
“I just wish there were more people here. That there was more outrage, and maybe because it’s so cold that they aren’t here. It is really important that we all stand up at this time, and we push back against our local leaders, our federal leaders, our electeds.”
Protesters held various signs with statements that challenge the administration and ICE activities.
“I just returned from Minneapolis where I saw countless violations, individual violations, constitutional violations, but it’s not about our public safety, it’s not about immigration,” McClain Delaney said.
“This is really about a retribution of our president stewing political chaos, and really using his power to bend to the will of the administration. I think that Minnesota is standing up, and we in Maryland have to, too.”