Little Rock, Arkansas – On Monday evening, a group of demonstrators took to downtown Little Rock to voice their opposition to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, drawing attention to what they called an unprecedented surge of federal agents in the state. While the protest was relatively small in size, organizers said the movement has been growing steadily and aimed to bring visibility to policies they view as harmful to local communities.
“Because we want our country back,” said Perri Doubleday, one of the protestors who participated in Monday’s demonstration. Doubleday described the rally as a response not only to the actions of ICE but also to broader immigration policies coming from Washington under the current administration.
The protestors emphasized that Monday’s demonstration specifically targeted the federal surge of immigration agents, which they say has disrupted neighborhoods and created fear among residents. “Because of what they’re doing to our cities. They are not police officers. They do not; they are doing things that they have no right to do. If you look at who they are, they are not getting the training like police officers should. They backed it up to six weeks of training for these people, which is why Renee Good is dead,” Doubleday added, referencing concerns over inadequate training and oversight of federal immigration personnel.
Data from the Deportation Data Project at UCLA and UC Berkeley indicate that since January of last year, approximately 2,700 arrests related to immigration enforcement have taken place in Arkansas, and 451 people have been deported. Protestors say these numbers underscore the urgency of their cause and the impact federal enforcement actions are having on local communities.
The demonstrators have vowed to continue organizing and pressuring lawmakers at both the state and federal level. “So, we will continue working towards getting the country back where we can all wake up peacefully and go about our days as good human beings and be kind to one another,” Doubleday said, stressing the protestors’ commitment to sustained advocacy.
At present, the Pulaski County Detention Center shows that 39 inmates are under ICE holds while facing additional charges, highlighting the ongoing presence of federal enforcement in local detention facilities. Protestors said that these numbers reinforce the need for public attention and accountability.
While Monday’s protest did not disrupt traffic or daily business significantly, its participants said that visibility is a critical element of their strategy. Organizers are encouraging the community to remain informed, engage in peaceful protest, and contact lawmakers to advocate for policies they believe protect human rights and local residents.
As the demonstration ended, protestors dispersed peacefully, but many said they plan to return in the coming weeks to continue their efforts. Advocates emphasized that their work is about more than a single event — it is a call for systemic change and oversight in how federal immigration authorities operate within Arkansas.
