Richmonders protest immigration enforcement at City Hall during City Council meeting

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Demonstrators protested Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at City Hall during a City Council meeting on Monday, demanding ICE out of Richmond and protections for residents.

In the evening on Monday, Sep. 8, anti-ICE demonstrators took to the area outside of the building while demonstrating, holding signs that read, "ABOLISH ICE," and "I.C.E. = TERRORIST ORGANIZATION," while chanting, "Aquí estamos, y no nos vamos," meaning, "We're here, and we're not leaving."

The group then poured into Richmond City Hall, voicing demands during the Richmond City Council meeting. The protest was organized by a coalition of organizations.

Organizers emphasized demands stated in a prior demonstration outside of City Hall in August, including that the City Council pass policies banning all local collaboration with ICE and that city leaders ban masked policing, among other measures.

Although the Richmond Police Department does not participate in immigration enforcement, organizers continued to demand that the city pass legislation to make it illegal for police or city agencies to do so.

Organizer Fernanda Diaz-Castro speaking in front of group of anti-protestors at Richmond City Hall on Sept. 9. (Photo: Nia Mcmillan/8News)

Anti-ICE demonstrators protesting outside of Richmond City Hall on Sept. 8. (Photo: Nia Mcmillan/8News)

Organizer Fernanda Diaz-Castro speaking in front of Richmond City Council during meeting on Sept. 8.

Organizer Fernanda Diaz-Castro, with the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality, spoke with 8News following the protest.

"We are here because we are seeing what is happening, and the threats and danger our communities are facing, and we know that every single one of us has the responsibility to stand up and protect people in Richmond," Diaz-Castro said.

In addition to city leaders, Diaz-Castro said organizers plan to bring demands before legislators.

In response to the protest, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula provided the following statement to 8News:

Richmond must be a city where every resident should feel safe accessing city services, reporting crimes, and engaging with local government - regardless of immigration status. As an immigrant myself, I am extremely mindful of the fear certain actions can create for our immigrant community. I’m very supportive of the Richmond Police Department’s (RPD) mission to concentrate on community policing to advance public safety. Community policing only works if RPD has the trust of the people it serves. Our residents should be able to call for help without the fear of somehow involving federal immigration officials and policies. Richmond does not and will not coordinate with ICE on deportation, and we have not signed a 287g agreement and will not sign one moving forward. Our officers need to focus on keeping communities safe, not on enforcing immigration policies. Mayor Avula

A spokesperson for Governor Glenn Youngkin provided the following statement in response to the protest:

Virginia is not a sanctuary state. The partnership between state and federal law enforcement has made Virginia safer, and we would encourage all officials to prioritize the protection of their citizens. Spokesperson for Gov. Youngkin