About a dozen armed “Boogaloo” as well as two anti-fascist activists gathered Saturday afternoon to hold an anti-ICE “Open the Cages” demonstration outside the Atlanta Immigration Court.
Police stood by, and no arrests or violence occurred.
The group particularly focused on forced hysterectomies of migrant women in ICE custody.
“When I say ‘fuck’ you say ICE! Fuck! ICE!” a speaker led the crowd with chants. “When I say ‘open’ you say cages! Open! Cages!”
Boogaloos chanted against ICE before being taught a new chant by an anti-fascist in attendance: “When immigrant rights are under attack, rise up fight back!”
One activist called ICE a “xenophobic agency” and demanded “the complete and total abolishment of ICE.”
He referenced Biden’s new ICE guidelines, which he called “virtue signaling.”
“As long as ICE exists, there will be human rights violations.”
“Forced sterilizations is not just a tragedy, it’s an outright abomination to human citizens around the world,” added a boogaloo who goes by the name “Anon.”
Two self-proclaimed antifa activists attended the rally.
“We have more in common than a lot of people know, I mean they’re technically anti-fascist, as it is!” one says, adding that she’s gotten backlash because others believe boogaloos are indeed fascists.
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Early Morning Arrest
One would-be participant was arrested early on Saturday morning ahead of the event. Markus Anthony Suarez, a former Proud Boy who swapped allegiances and joined the boogaloo movement in late 2020, was arrested in Henry County, just south of Atlanta.
As of the time of the rally, Suarez was held on above $60,000 bond.
Today, an armed “boogaloo” rally is taking place in Atlanta against ICE, which I’ll be covering.
Early this morning, Markus Anthony Suarez was arrested just south of Atlanta on explosive and drug charges.
Update on February 23: Suarez has been released from jail on bond. He clarified via text message with News2Share that the device he had been charged for “intent to commit offense with explosive or destructive device” with had been a “Shutter Bomb” – not Tannerite as originally believed.
Shutter Bombs are commonly available smoke grenades that produce non-irritating colored smoke. They are most commonly sold for the purposes of art projects but are used as a civilian alternative to traditional smoke grenades in street activism.
“Boogaloo” activists prepare rifles ahead of their anti-ICE “Open the Cages” rally outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists prepare rifles ahead of their anti-ICE “Open the Cages” rally outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
A “Boogaloo” activist wears a patch portraying Mr. Rogers with a handgun saying “Stay Strapped or Get Clapped Neighbor” in Atlanta, Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists pose for a photo during their “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists hold an “Open the Cages” rally against ICE outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists head back to their vehicles following an anti-ICE “Open the Cages” rally outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
A “Boogaloo” activist packs up his rifle following an anti-ICE “Open the Cages” rally outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activist CabooseGA shows off his handgun – from which he removed the physical safety – following an anti-ICE “Open the Cages” rally outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
“Boogaloo” activists pose for a photo following an anti-ICE “Open the Cages” rally outside the Atlanta Immigration Court in Georgia on February 20, 2021. (Ford Fischer / News2Share)
Ford Fischer is an independent news videographer, editor, filmmaker, and the editor-in-chief of News2Share. His work has been included in four Emmy-winning films. He co-founded and designed News2share.com as an engine for independent videographers and citizen journalists to contribute to the evolving news cycle. He is available for hire as a freelance videographer/journalist. Reach him at fordfischervideo@gmail.com
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