“No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state.“

“I like my ICE crushed.”

“Nazis were just following orders, too.”

Those are some of the signs held by the hundreds of people who marched through downtown Raleigh on Sunday, objecting to a federal operation that started Saturday in Charlotte targeting people living in the country illegally.

The rally and march started with about 50 people gathering at Moore Square at 3 p.m. As organizers — including the Party for Socialism and Liberation and La Fuerza NC — spoke, the crows size swelled from dozens to hundreds.

On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security said in a news release that federal officials are in Charlotte, targeting “criminal illegal aliens” who came to North Carolina “because they knew sanctuary politicians would protect them and allow them to roam free in the streets.”

Speakers at the Raleigh protest criticized the federal immigration operation and urged protesters to reach out to political leaders, protect those who are vulnerable, and educate and organize those around them.

“They call us drug traffickers, rapists. All of this to justify their agendas, to justify the abduction of families all across the state, all across the nation. And we say no to that,” Raul Jimenez with La Fuerta NC told the crowd.

Milo Baynes, 53, drove to the Raleigh protest from Caswell County wearing an inflatable chicken costume and holding a sign that said “Deport Ice” on one side and “Monsters are governing America” on the other. Baynes said he came to Raleigh to speak out and raise awareness about the Trump administration directing its wrath in his home state.

“I’m hoping more people will realize what’s going on,” he said.

After the rally, hundreds of protesters walked through downtown Raleigh’s streets chanting and waving their signs.

“Say it loud. Say it clear. Immigrants are welcome here,” is one of the many chants they yelled walking down the street as Raleigh police officers stopped traffic and protected the protesters.

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