Protests grow as ICE raids surge across multiple U.S. cities
Thousands of demonstrators are calling for an end to the surge in federal immigration arrests across North Carolina
(CNN)- Thousands of demonstrators are calling for an end to the surge in federal immigration arrests across North Carolina, as tensions rise following a week of high-profile ICE operations.
Large crowds rallied in downtown Raleigh, demanding a halt to immigration enforcement actions they say are sweeping up families and rattling entire communities. Governor Josh Stein criticized the raids, arguing agents are detaining people indiscriminately.
“They’re just sweeping sidewalks, sweeping parking lots, going into stores and churches,” Stein said. “This is not about public safety, and I wish that it were.”
The protests come after a wave of arrests in Charlotte, which also prompted a student walkout. While North Carolina’s GOP leadership has voiced support for the operations, some residents and business owners say the crackdown has gone too far — affecting lawful residents and frightening workers.
“Business today is very slow,” one Raleigh-area business owner said. “Ninety percent of my employees called off. That’s a big hurt for us.”
A source tells NBC that New Orleans could be the next target city, with Gregory Bovino — the Border Patrol official leading the national crackdown — possibly heading there in early December.
Elsewhere, tensions flared near Minneapolis on Wednesday after protesters crossed police tape and officers deployed pepper spray.
