"Free them all!" Activists protest ICE over detainee COVID-19 deaths

"People are dying in these cages right now," Benjamin Shepard said from behind a medical mask in Times Square. Benjamin was one of dozens of activists who marched, biked, and drove around New York City Friday afternoon demanding that ICE release its detainees amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. The activists stood at least six feet apart across Times Square, some remaining in their cars, honking and displaying banners. "This is a country of immigrants," Shepard, a Brooklyn resident, told Zenger News. "If you're locked up in a prison right now, it's a death sentence." "Abolish ICE. Free them all," he said. Although ICE hasn't confirmed any deaths in its facilities from COVID-19, it has reportedly tested 407 detainees, and found 124 cases. "This is a coalition of groups who are opposing the detention camps that ICE runs and also incarceration generally in New York state," said Savitri D, an organizer of the event. "We're asking Cuomo very specifically today to release prisoners because COVID is rampant in all the detention facilities." At publication time, New York reported 269 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the incarcerated population, of which 7 had died. "We're asking Cuomo to do what he can rightfully do today and free them," said D. The group included Critical Mass, an activist group that advocates for safety and accessibility for bikers on New York street. The group often holds bikes over their head moments of silence for cyclists who die on the road, but performed the same gesture for migrants dead from COVID-19. "This one's for them" said activists, while holding bicycles above their head. The group concluded their protest outside an ICE office on the south side of Manhattan. "ICE agents are not essential workers!" chanted the activists. "Free them all! Abolish ICE!" they yelled. Filmed by Jon Farina