Hundreds Rally in Westerville to Protest ICE Actions
Several hundred people gathered Sunday at the Westerville skate park for a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), featuring speeches, chants, and a march to the ICE facility on Brooksedge Blvd.
The rally began in the skate park bowl, where speakers condemned ICE and criticized former President Donald Trump for shaping immigration enforcement policies they oppose. Protesters held signs calling for the agency’s abolition, defending immigrant rights, and denouncing what they described as authoritarian practices.
American flags and flags representing Mexico, Venezuela, and other countries were visible throughout the crowd. Some participants wore clothing associated with immigrant solidarity movements, while others held handmade signs or recorded the event on their phones.
Chants echoed through the skate park, keeping energy high between speeches. A frequent call-and-response mimicked Ohio State’s well-known “O-H-I-O” cheer, with protesters yelling “O-H” and the crowd answering “Ice Out.”
Several older participants acknowledged that the chanting reminded them of anti–Vietnam War protests in the late 1960s and early 1970s, citing similar rhythms, slogans, and the chants’ unifying power during extended demonstrations.
After about an hour of speeches, organizers led a march to the ICE office a few blocks away.
Shortly after the march began, organizers paused to allow the crowd to regroup. They consulted with police, who advised avoiding Schrock Road, a major east-west thoroughfare, in favor of a safer route through nearby office parks and side streets. Westerville police blocked traffic to accommodate the demonstration.
Officers accompanied the march on foot and in vehicles, blocking intersections and leading the group to the ICE facility. The building’s parking lot was mostly empty, with only one vehicle visible. Protesters gathered near the entrance, repeating earlier chants and messages from the rally.
The crowd then marched back to the skate park along Schrock Road's sidewalks. Police controlled traffic at intersections until the group returned.
Sunday’s demonstration was one of many held nationwide in recent years opposing ICE operations and federal immigration policy. Organizers said their goal was to raise awareness and show solidarity with immigrant communities.
Westerville police did not issue a statement but remained on the scene until the crowd dispersed.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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