Diverse Protest Tactics Challenge ICE and Corporate Policies Across US Cities
Across various U.S. cities, activists have employed innovative protest methods to challenge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and corporate figures, reflecting a growing movement against federal enforcement policies.
In Monrovia, a wave of community buy-in for 0.17-dollar ice scrapers outside Home Depot led to temporary closures of the stores. This campaign recalls the August death of Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez during an immigration sweep, highlighting the human cost of current enforcement.
Portland's Frog Brigade has adopted 'tactical frivolity' by wearing inflatable frog costumes in demonstrations outside an ICE facility. This approach seeks to counter narratives labeling protesters as violent, even as at least one agent resorted to pepper-spraying a participant.
Simultaneously, the No Sleep for ICE campaign has disrupted raids in the Los Angeles area through targeted actions against hotels hosting agents, including the AC Hotel in Pasadena, Home2 Suites in Montebello, and Embassy Suites in Downey.
Tesla-related protests have also gained traction, with the Tesla Takedown campaigns organizing large demonstrations outside showrooms where thousands of activists distributed bumper stickers and criticized CEO Elon Musk. Notably, Musk is set to end his tenure as a 'special government employee' by May amid declining U.S. sales.
In the realm of media, Disney+ has experienced a surge in cancellations following the network pause of Jimmy Kimmel's ABC program on September 17. Approximately 3 million Disney+ and 4.1 million Hulu cancellations were recorded before Kimmel's show resumed on September 23.
Community groups such as Chicago's Little Village Community Council have distributed plastic whistles as alerts for ICE activity. This initiative has expanded to cities like New York, New Orleans, and areas in North Carolina.
In Washington D.C., coordinated banging of pots and pans at 7 p.m.—a protest style inspired by traditional cacerolazos—has sought to challenge federal enforcement, with the group Free DC advocating for increased local control amid the presence of federal forces.
In Memphis, pop-up block parties titled 'Joy Rising: Block by Block,' organized by Free the 901, combine voter registration, know-your-rights training, music, and meals to energize communities for the 2026 elections and resist National Guard deployment.
Lastly, an ad campaign in Chicago, Charlotte, and West Palm Beach has focused on persuading ICE agents to resign by portraying personal stories, such as an agent returning home to his daughter, urging them to walk away from their roles.
