During a severe weather advisory Sunday, hundreds of Iowa City community members gathered at the University of Iowa’s Pentacrest to protest the death of another civilian in Minneapolis and condemn the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
Chants of “No justice, no peace, no racist beliefs” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” echoed as drums and bells were shaken in unison.
In Minneapolis, protests have erupted following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both killed during encounters with federal immigration agents. Demonstrators are calling for accountability and transparency from federal authorities and voicing concerns about aggressive ICE operations in the city.
Joel Stremmel, 32, of Iowa City, was bundled up with his wife and two kids in their strollers for the protest. After living in Minnesota for many years, Stremmel said he has heard from friends about how communities in the state have come together to help immigrants.
“We feel a little bit helpless because we were part of that community, but we’re not there now,” Stremmel said. “We wanted to kind of get out and show our support.”
Stremmel’s poster, made of a diaper box, read, “M M-Meeks funded ICE. ICE out, immigrants welcome.”
U.S. Rep. Mariannatte Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, voted to pass appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026, which included provisions to increase funding for ICE, according to a news release.
“Our representatives, even though we’re here in Iowa, can do something right about this and the issues that are going on in our country right now,” Stremmel said. “So we would really like for her [Miller-Meeks] to know that her constituents oppose everything that ICE is doing right now. No fear.”
As a parent, Stremmel said he hopes his kids experience a diverse country.
“We really feel like our country should be a diverse place where many different people feel welcome, and we want them to grow up in a country where that’s the case. Like, you’re able to be around different types of people who have different backgrounds, different values,” Stremmel said.
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Alex Ackerman, a 52, of Iowa City, said she has also received reports of what’s happening in Minneapolis from friends and family in Minnesota and came to stand in solidarity with them.
“They’re going after kids as they come out of school. Just unbelievable things. Just terrified,” Ackerman said. “Everybody’s coming out and doing things and helping each other, and trying to stand up for their neighbors.”
Many community members said they came not only to protest, but to show that they are not alone and that together, they are stronger.
“Just talking to each other so that we feel less helpless, less powerless,” Ackerman said. “Sitting at home absorbing all of it is really uncomfortable. At some point, you’ve got to disagree. Do something. Take some action.”
Iowa City resident Stefany Onaranjo stood with a friend she met at a previous protest in Iowa City as cars honked in support at the protesters lining the street. She said the way ICE has been treating people who “look like her” is unacceptable.
“I think for me personally, just the idea — I am a citizen — of being profiled and traumatized just because of how I look, and things I can’t change about myself,” Onaranjo said.
Zoe Strobach, a second-year UI student, said she was surprised by the turnout and found it encouraging given Iowa’s political landscape.
“It feels really good to know that it’s not just a handful of people in the area, especially because Iowa is a red state,” Strobach said. “It just feels good to know that other people are standing up against stuff like this.”
Jennifer Seydel, 69, of Iowa City, said her primary concern is a proposed Iowa bill that would require law enforcement to cooperate with immigration officials.
“We can all call our legislators and say, ‘We do not want this,’” Seydel said. “We want our law enforcement officers to be community-based and focused on what’s right for the community, not what the federal government is demanding.”
Seydel held her sign up featuring an eye that read, “Believe your eyes not their lies.”
“It’s essential that we believe what we see and listen to the people on the ground, not the federal government,” Seydel said. “They want us to be afraid and not believe we can influence what’s happening in our communities, but we can.”