By Sean Avery
Columbia Gorge News
HOOD RIVER — Around 15 demonstrators huddled under a cold winter rain last Wednesday afternoon at the corner of May and 12th Street, wielding signs and waving flags to express care and concern for the immigrant community.
The group then marched south towards Rosauers and initiated an impromptu vigil in honor of Renée Nicole Good, the 37-year-old woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis earlier that day, which sparked protests nationwide. Shortly afterward, federal agents shot two Venezuelan immigrants in east Portland Thursday afternoon, and both were hospitalized for a period of time.
The following Sunday, roughly 200 people assembled downtown to protest ICE, joining members from Wednesday’s gathering.
Led by the Riverside Community Church, members of the “Somos Inmigrantes” campaign plan to continue demonstrating at the same intersection every Wednesday from 4-5 p.m., rain or shine, which they have dubbed “Somos Wednesdays.”
Movement co-organizer and church member Deanne McLaughlin, who has been rallying support and distributing signs to community members since last March, spurred Wednesday’s gathering. According to McLaughlin, “Somos Inmigrantes” was initially conceived to establish Hood River as an immigrant-friendly community, and its poignancy has only deepened over time.
“People are scared — artisans and helpers that support our community with all sorts of jobs. It’s tragic to see them being pulled away from their families,” she said, referring to a surge of ICE arrests in the Gorge, as reported by Columbia Gorge News. “Today is an especially painful day because of what happened in Minneapolis.”
Donning January-ready rain gear, dogs Rainy and Tilly stood paws-deep in massive puddles alongside their owner, Jennifer Ouzounian, who plans to return to the intersection on coming Wednesdays.
“I’m just appalled,” Ouzounian said. “I mean, you saw the videos today … this is a police force that seems to act without any oversight or accountability.”
John Boonstra, former pastor of Bethel United Church of Christ and co-organizer of local Palestinian Liberation group Gorge Gaza Action, is an avid contributor to “Somos Inmigrantes,” hoping to build bridges of connection between recently arrived immigrants and those who’ve been here longer.
“We’re all immigrants,” Boonstra said, expressing how all non-native Americans are descendants of those who migrated from overseas. Although uncooperative with legal definitions, this mindset aims to dissuade people from viewing human beings as “illegal” and foster empathy for impacted neighbors.
“It’s getting more violent; it’s getting more severe,” he said. “Now is the time to stand and let people know that [ICE] is not welcome in our place.”
Nancy Johanson Paul, whose sign read “America was built by immigrants,” echoed a similar sentiment. “I wish that we could all see people as humans rather than as a documentation status,” Paul said. “They’re not illegal.”
Temira, who doesn’t use a last name, expressed intense worry about ICE’s presence in the Gorge while holding a sign that said “No estan solos,” or “You are not alone.”
“ICE is terrorizing our community, and people are terrified,” they said. “Their family members are being kidnapped, and they can’t leave their home without fear of being deported to a country they’ve never been to in their lives.”
On Dec. 30, an individual who was brought to the United States at a very young age was taken by ICE in The Dalles, leaving behind a 7-month-old baby with just one parent, as reported by Columbia Gorge News.
“It’s scary to see our country lying blatantly,” Temira said of Minneapolis, referring to President Donald Trump and United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s labeling Good’s killing as an act of self-defense. “This level of violence, with very clear video evidence, is deeply concerning.”
Hood River City Council Member Doug Stepina turned out to show support and gather firsthand information from community members on the ground. The council issued an emergency declaration at its last meeting on Dec. 8 and is considering renewing it on Jan. 12.
“It’s super important, regardless of the size of the community and how many people come out, to gather,” Stepina said. “It’s healing and invigorating.”
After an hour of waving and drawing near-constant honks from supportive drivers, protesters set off for the vigil, where new faces joined to sing and chant in honor of Good. Newcomers passed out candles, forming a brightly lit circle unmissable from the road.
“Somos Inmigrantes” will reconvene Wednesday and hold a MLK day celebration on Jan. 19 at Riverside Community Church, featuring a panel discussion, musical celebration and community meal.
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