No, I didn’t invent this concept that “ICE is the new Gestapo”, but it sure rings true.

One of the more outrageous local ICE arrests/abductions/kidnappings was of Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a high school honor student, athlete, and band member who was arrested/abducted/kidnapped by ICE on his way to volleyball this past Saturday. ICE abducted him and detained him from Saturday through this week. Marcelo committed no crimes and has never been in any trouble with the police, either. He was what they call “collateral damage” as they were actually targeting someone else. Marcelo was born in Brazil but has been growing up in Milford, MA, since he was 7.

Local activists organized a rally outside the Chelmsford Immigration Court today. Even though it was thrown together in just a couple of days, and even though it was 90 degrees, there was an excellent turnout. After we’d been there for about half an hour, we got the excellent news that Marcelo was released on bond!

The story was covered by various news outlets. Below is the coverage by local Boston NBC (channel 10 news). It’s worth watching mainly to hear Marcelo’s own words. To my surprise, I flashed in the footage a couple of times. Must be the collar.

‘Nobody should be in here’: Milford High School student detained by ICE is released on bond

Here are a couple of screen shots of me in the crowd:

I’m so glad that Marcelo is free, and hope and pray that it stays that way. I can’t imagine going through something like that when you’re just a kid. This country needs to do better and live into our promise. When did we forget that this is a nation of immigrants? Immigrants make America great. I believe it with all my heart.