Weekend protests draw 400+

Published 10:40 am Monday, February 2, 2026

Two protests and one walkout in Astoria brought crowds of people

Over the weekend, there were two protests and one walkout in Astoria following recent clashes and deadly violence in Minnesota with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. There were about 50 people at Friday’s protest at 17th and Marine Drive. It’s unclear how many people participated in Friday’s walk out; however, Saturday’s protest brought 375.

The line of protesters on Saturday spanned several blocks, from 16th Street and past the Astoria Gateway Cinemas.

Friday’s protest

Despite Friday’s blustery weather, Anne Erickson found it important to attend the demonstration. “If the people of Minneapolis can be out there in 14 degree weather, we can be out here in a little rain.”

Many protestors shared similar sentiments, saying that they had no choice but to show up.

The Ericksons, a couple of retired educators, held their own signs. Mark’s said “The Children, Our Future” in large letters. “We’re here for the future of our country and the world, for our children to be respected,” he said. He said he was disgusted with recent reports of children’s maltreatment, especially in cases surrounding the Epstein files and ICE detainings.

In addition to signs, many protestors toted American flags, a couple of which were upside down.

“My country is in distress,” said Wes Waite, carrying an upturned flag, “My country needs a little help.”

There were no counter-protestors, but some drivers showed displeasure at the event by “flipping the bird” and revving car and truck engines while passing the crowd. Most drivers passing by honked in support of the protestors. At certain times, six or seven cars in a row would join in. Protestors reacted with cheers and fists in the air.

One large pick-up truck elicited many cheers driving down the street with signs of its own, that said: “Real men are against Trump” and “ICE Out.”

Some cars drove through sizable bubbles produced by the Astoria Bubble Collective. The bubble producer said their bubbles were making their own statement.

“Bubbles don’t like fascism. Bubbles don’t like this bullsh-t,” he said. “Bubbles don’t like Trump.”

The Collective also streamed protest music from their bluetooth speakers. The first song opened with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Another person handed out pocket Constitutions to his fellow demonstrators, something he has been doing since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, when he purchased $200 worth of booklets. “It seemed like something I could do for the greater good,” Nick B., who declined to give a last name, said.

Saturday’s protest

Hundreds of people lined up along both sides of Marine Drive on a rare sunny, blue-sky winter day, bundled in beanies and rain jackets. People of all ages, including children and seniors, plus a number of their furry four-footed friends, held mostly hand-made signs and waved flags and flashed victory or peace signs at passing drivers. Many of the signs stated a two-word expletive: “F– -k ICE” while others included quotes from historical figures and slogans.

One sign included a Thomas Jefferson’s quote: “When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.”

Sharon Cloutier said that in her 80 years of life, she could only remember the Cuban Missile Crisis as the one other time that felt this dire to her. Her daughter and grandchildren stood with her on Marine Drive.

Danielle Glover-Cloutier said she is “terrified” at the state of democracy and said recent events, especially the death of Renee Good, are hitting close to home, as a lesbian mom and nurse. “I’m terrified that we’re going to slip into this gradually and then quickly and we’re not gonna be able to get it back.”

Simone Miller said she was at the protest to show that there is good in the country. “I think our country just has a capacity to do a lot of good and we’re moving in the wrong direction — and I see people‘s rights being disregarded and that’s really problematic. … I think it’s important to show up to have our voices heard, that we need to turn things in a better direction.

“We have to get together and remember that we are strong together and we can be kind together and that we can move in the right direction together.”

In addition to signs and flags — some of which were worn, cape like — a number of protesters blasted out their own songs of choice. At several junctures, Bruce Springsteen’s new protest song could be heard: “Streets of Minneapolis.”

Renia Fick said she came to the protest because of what she’s learned. “I think a huge part of the reason I’m here today is that I’ve had such incredible teachers, teachers who have insisted that I learn my history and learn how to be with other people and learn about the rest of the world. And when you’ve learned those lessons from people who really care about you, it makes it essential to you to use your voice in the best way possible.”

Debbie, who also declined to give her last name, wasn’t waving a flag — she was wearing one. “We’ve got to get our flag back,” she said. “It has been used for negative reasons by the other side … it’s for all of us. They’ve used it in the wrong way and we are claiming it back. Power to the people.”

In an earlier version of this story, Renia Fick was inaccurately depicted as declining to give her full name “in fear of retribution.” Fick said she only gave her first name because she was not asked to give her last name.