South Windsor citizens took to the streets on Saturday, January 31, gathering to exercise their right to protest against federal disinhibition. National aggravation stimulated by the recent escalations of ICE’s power over Americans have led to the people taking action all over the country.
Intense protests have occurred in Minnesota and around the country, and a state-wide campaign came to Connecticut on January 31, with separate protests in neighboring towns. According to the Norwich Bulletin, a South Windsor protest occurred on the corner of Ellington Road and Sullivan Avenue from 10:00 to 11:30 in the morning.
“I protested today at South Windsor’s busy Five Corners intersection from 10 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. It was lightly snowing, frigid… and blustery, but the cause is great,” protester Peter DeMallie wrote in a public Facebook post on February 7. “Plenty of motorists honked in support of our democracy.”
According to the United States Census Bureau, from 2020 to 2024 around 22% of South Windsor residents were foreign-born. Diversity has been an important factor in South Windsor’s community, especially as it continues to grow and change. The same survey cited 6.2% of the population to be Hispanic or Latino, 3.7% to be Black, 6.3% to represent multiple races, and 22.3% to be Asian.
ICE has faced a series of controversies following the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, as well as the detention of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, an escalated campaign. According to an article from CBS News, by mid-January ICE had reached a detainment record, with over 70,000 detainees. These are a few of the numerous actions ICE has taken, further stimulating public dissatisfaction.
The corner of Ellington Road and Sullivan Avenue has been a popular location for protests in years past, as it is one of the town’s most frequently used intersections. It also has the town wall and flags, making it a powerful location to stage a protest.
Similar events occurred in the surrounding towns, like ‘Ice Out! National Day of Action’ in New Haven, ‘Nurses’ Vigil for Alex Pretti’ in Hartford, and ‘Good Trouble Overpass Protest’ in Tolland. In total, 17 protests happened from Thursday, January 29 to Saturday, January 31.
“No regrets. I hope to see you next Saturday, same place, same time,” said Peter DeMallie in his Facebook post. The protest action in South Windsor is ongoing as residents unite to fight for change.
