I am a resident of Fort Jones who attended the “ICE Out For Good” protest in Yreka on Saturday 10 January. I arrived around 11:45 AM and stayed until the event’s conclusion at 1:00 PM. During that time, I witnessed a notable interaction: on two separate occasions, a marked law enforcement vehicle drove past the group and the officer offered a peace sign or a friendly wave in support of the protesters. While I cannot be certain if this was the same officer twice or two different individuals, the acknowledgment was clearly visible and positive.
As an eyewitness, I wanted to provide an accurate record of the event’s peak and conclusion:
- Verified Count: I counted 72 people gathered on the S Main Street sidewalk during the final hour.
- Broad Representation: Participants included Yreka residents as well as people who traveled from Greenview and French Creek.
- Atmosphere: The event was peaceful and ended promptly at 1:00 PM. The crowd included people who brought their leashed dogs.
- Slogans: Notable signs included “RIP Renee Nicole Good,” “Abolish ICE,” “ICE has no nutritional value,” and “Happy New Year: 1984.”
While some passing drivers revved engines or made disparaging gestures, there was also an equal or larger number of drivers who expressed support by honking, waving, showing us peace signs, or giving thumbs up gestures. The positive acknowledgment from law enforcement was a standout moment. I believe this turnout and the respectful interaction is an important story for our county.
Sincerely,
Marie Brown
Fort Jones, CA
