Immigration Protesters Rally Against ICE in Washington

A nationwide protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) organized by self-described socialist and communist groups largely failed to achieve its ambitious goals Friday, despite coordinated demonstrations in several cities across the country.

The protest action, billed as a “National Shutdown,” called for a complete halt to work, school and shopping in opposition to ICE operations. However, the movement’s attempt to disrupt daily life nationwide fell short of organizers’ expectations.

In Washington D.C., Fox News Digital observed as activists from the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) arrived at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station shortly before 3 p.m. A vehicle pulled up near a Walgreens, where organizers unloaded dozens of bright yellow protest signs mounted on wooden pickets. The signs, bearing slogans such as “STOP ICE TERROR NOW,” were quickly distributed to waiting participants.

At precisely 3 p.m., a PSL leader gathered protesters at the corner and directed them into the streets. The demonstration proceeded in an organized but subdued manner, with participants quietly following instructions.

An investigation by Fox News Digital has linked several organizing groups to a network of nonprofits financially supported by tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham. Singham, who resides in China and has openly expressed Marxist views, has reportedly used his extensive funding network to promote messaging favorable to the Chinese Communist Party.

Key organizations behind the protests included the PSL, the People’s Forum, CodePink (co-founded by Jodie Evans, who is married to Singham), and BreakThrough News – all entities with connections to Singham’s funding ecosystem.

The coalition also included explicitly leftist groups such as Revolutionary Communists of America, Communist Party USA, Socialists Without Borders, Socialist Equality Party, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Socialist Alternative, and various Democratic Socialists of America chapters. Several Marxist student organizations, including the George Washington University Socialist Action Initiative, also participated.

Propaganda experts suggest these demonstrations serve a strategic purpose beyond their stated aims. Such protests can create a media narrative depicting the United States as a failing state – a key tactic in insurgent movements and a narrative that aligns with the interests of geopolitical rivals like China.

Notably, the protest coalition extended beyond far-left organizations to include groups more closely aligned with mainstream Democratic politics. Multiple chapters of Indivisible, a national activist network that regularly contributes to Democratic campaigns, endorsed the action. Various left-leaning civic organizations, advocacy groups, and unions with ties to Democratic politics also participated, blurring distinctions between grassroots activism and partisan political activity.

In Washington, the protest atmosphere remained casual, with participants taking selfies and posing for cameras. The demonstration dispersed relatively quickly, with normal street activity resuming soon after. One protester was overheard asking another about post-demonstration plans for drinks.

The limited impact of Friday’s “National Shutdown” highlights the challenges activist groups face in translating online organizing and political rhetoric into widespread public participation. Despite extensive preparation and coordination across multiple organizations, the protests failed to significantly disrupt daily life or commerce in most areas.

Immigration enforcement has been a divisive political issue throughout the Biden administration, with progressive groups advocating for less restrictive policies while conservative critics call for stricter border control. Recent ICE operations have intensified these debates, providing a focal point for Friday’s demonstrations.

The protest’s limited success may reflect broader public sentiment on immigration enforcement, with polls showing Americans divided on the appropriate approach to managing immigration and border security.