There were thousands of protests last weekend showing our country’s outrage at ICE’s murder of Renee Nicole Good, activist, mother and citizen. In Northampton at 2 p.m. on Sunday, hundreds gathered with speeches and posters. Earlier, at 11 a.m. on the steps of City Hall in Northampton, a small group of local neighbors brought together more than 100 people for a silent vigil to recognize and bear witness to ICE atrocities. ICE has invaded classrooms, hospitals and courts, randomly abducting and assaulting immigrants and citizens alike. Now a citizen has been murdered in Minneapolis.

We began with music from our friend, Gerard. Silence is powerful, and as we stood, people came from across the broad avenue to join us. Each was given a flower. In silence we walked together, posters declaring our intent, and gathered for a final song and request from our group.

Citizens must stand up and speak out to Gov. Maura Healey (413-784-1200) and Attorney General Andrea Campbell (413-784-1240) to demand that they enforce Massachusetts laws against ICE. Our state has legal powers that have not been demonstrated. As we handed out phone numbers, we reminded our community that hope endures only with our actions. We asked that each person present engage five friends in these calls.

There is current precedent for this: in the Midwest, a federal judge recently ruled that six states have the authority to arrest unlawful ICE agents. In Philadelphia, Attorney General Larry Krasner and Sheriff Rachell Bilal made strong public statements that masked ICE agents are not police officers, and will be arrested, prosecuted and jailed for unlawful acts.

In Democratic states across the country, attorneys general are joining together in this effort. Our democracy is failing. Join us. Stand up for our immigrant neighbors and fellow citizens. We the people are the only power we have to assure that our diverse and multi-cultural society endures.

Janet Nelson, Sarah Bachrach, Wendy Bleiman, Pat and Dick Aslin, Sally Bellerose, Grace and Gerard Simonette, Julie Anderson, Lesley Peebles

Northampton