At a Glance
- Hundreds marched in Center City on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to protest nationwide ICE raids.
- The rally started at Philadelphia Immigration Court and ended at the ICE field office on North 8th Street.
- State Senator Art Haywood and interfaith groups organized the demonstration.
- Why it matters: Local leaders vow to prosecute federal agents who break the law, intensifying the standoff between Philadelphia and federal immigration authorities.
Hundreds of demonstrators filled Center City streets on January 19, 2026, turning Martin Luther King Jr. Day into a loud rebuke of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The crowd-stretching down Market and 8th streets-condemned recent ICE raids and demanded accountability after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
March Route and Rally Speakers
Organizers kicked off the protest at 11 a.m. outside the Philadelphia Immigration Court on 9th and Market. From there, marchers carried signs and chants north to the ICE Philadelphia Field Office inside the Department of Human Services building at 114 North 8th Street.
State Senator Art Haywood (D-4th District) led the rally alongside clergy from multiple faiths and neighborhood coalitions. Their message: Philadelphia will not stay silent while ICE operations escalate.
Spark That Fueled the Outcry
Tension surged after January 7, 2026, when an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Her death ignited demonstrations from Philadelphia to the suburbs and across the country. Protesters say the incident epitomizes unchecked federal power.
District Attorney Draws a Line
Five days before the march, District Attorney Larry Krasner convened a press conference with city leaders to outline a hardline stance. He pledged to treat any federal agent who violates Pennsylvania law like any other suspect.
> “This is ultimately about good versus evil. That’s what it is. It’s about good versus evil,” Krasner declared. “Renee Nicole Good is just part of that good and she is up against evil.”
Krasner warned that federal status offers no shield in Philadelphia:
- “We will arrest you. We will handcuff you. We will close those cuffs. We will put you in a cell. We will set your bail and I’m going to ask for it to be appropriately high.”
- “We will take you to trial and I’m going to do everything in my power to convict you and we will make sure you serve your entire sentence because Donald Trump has no power, whatsoever, to pardon you. That’s the way the law works.”
Legal Claim Behind the Threat
Krasner insists local authority trumps federal immunity when agents commit crimes. He argued that U.S. law allows city prosecutors to charge federal officers and that presidential pardons do not apply to state-level convictions.
> “What the law says is very clear, very clear, very clear, do you hear me JD Vance?” Krasner added, addressing the Vice President. “What the law says is federal officers can’t murder you.”
Community Reactions
Protesters who packed the streets voiced support for Krasner’s position. Many carried photos of Good and banners reading “Abolish ICE” and “Justice for Renee.” Interfaith leaders led prayer circles outside the ICE office, calling for an immediate moratorium on raids.
According to News Of Philadelphia, similar scenes played out in cities nationwide, but Philadelphia’s turnout ranked among the largest since Good’s death.
What Happens Next
No arrests were reported during the Center City demonstration. ICE has not commented publicly on Krasner’s statements or the ongoing protests. City officials say they are reviewing any future federal operations for potential legal violations.
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia leaders are openly challenging federal immigration enforcement.
- Local prosecutors claim the power to arrest and charge federal agents who break state law.
- The death of Renee Nicole Good continues to fuel nationwide demonstrations.
