Protesters’ breath was visible in the frigid air as they packed the plaza in front of the Massachusetts State House, transforming the snow-covered square into a sea of signs and chants. Nearly 1,000 Boston residents braved 10-degree temperatures to attend the “ICE Out Everywhere” protest Jan. 31.
The demonstration was prompted by the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minn. Jan. 24.
Pretti was the second U.S. citizen killed by federal agents within the first weeks of 2026, following the fatal shooting of Renée Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, officers Jan. 7. Both deaths occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation widely criticized by elected officials and civil rights groups for aggressive tactics.
Boston activist organizations quickly mobilized for the Jan. 31 demonstration. According to the Mass 50501 event page, the rally demanded that Gov. Maura Healey and state legislators cut all ties with ICE and protect immigrant communities.
Massachusetts maintains limited cooperation with ICE through a single 287(g) agreement with the state Department of Correction, established in 2007. Two days before the protest, Jan. 29, Gov. Healey signed an executive order prohibiting the state from entering new 287(g) agreements unless there is a public safety need.
Despite the cold, the rally began at 11:30 a.m. and lasted nearly two hours. The peaceful demonstration stretched from the State House steps down to Liberty Mall on Boston Common. The bitter temperature forced participants to bundle in heavy winter coats and hats, yet the crowd maintained high spirits throughout the protest.
On the steps of the State House, speakers addressed the crowd through microphones. Between speeches, they led the assembly in call-and-response chants, including “Hey, hey, ho, ho, deportation has got to go!” and “Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!”
Meanwhile, protesters held signs reading slogans ranging from “Abolish ICE” and “Defund ICE” to “Defend our Constitution” and “Everyone is welcome here.” One sign reading “Make Pretti Good trouble” drew attention, paying tribute to both U.S. citizens killed in immigration enforcement operations.
Protesters occupied the intersection of Beacon Street and Park Street but kept pathways clear for pedestrians. Attendees shared hand warmers and picked up litter, maintaining the peacefulness of the demonstration.
In the early afternoon, remaining protesters gathered around a brass band near the State House steps. After two hours in the cold, they swayed and clapped to music. The sound of brass and drums mixed with occasional chants echoed across the snow-covered Boston Common.
