Columbia, SC Protest Against Deportations
Photos by Sean Rayford / February 8, 2025 / Columbia, SC
Amid a back-and-forth between the South Carolina Attorney General and the Columbia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, about 300 demonstrators gathered at the statehouse in Columbia, SC late Saturday afternoon and into the evening.
Earlier in the week A.G. Alan Wilson warning “It has come to my attention that your organization has a meeting planned for Saturday. February 8, with the stated goal of organizing a "mass resistance" and forming a “Community ICE Raid Response Network." While every South Carolinian has the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and advocate against government policies for which they disagree, any effort to obstruct or interfere with law enforcement will have consequences,” in a February 4 letter.
In response, the DSA published a letter on Instagram, in part, reading: “Our event is simply an educational and community-building session in a public library. Columbia DSA absolutely condemns any form of physical, political, and rhetorical violence. This is evidenced by our efforts to feed, clothe, and bond with our unhoused neighbors of Columbia. Organizing mass resistance simply means communicating to those in power that the people do not approve of actions made by their elected representatives. This fundamental right was valued by the Founding Fathers and centuries of patriots; it is the most American ideal of freedom.”
On Friday, the DSA announced that the pre-rally meeting was being moved to the “Grass Roots Organizing Workshop,” home if the S.C. Progressive Network and the Modjeska Simkins School.
Brett Bursey of the SC Progressive Network told The State Newspaper that interest in the meeting had exceeded the library meeting room space.
The Answer Coalition listed the Columbia protest at the statehouse as part of the National Weekend of Action and one of 46 rallies against deportations.
“We will stand up and fight back against Trump and his administration as they unfurl ICE and other federal police agencies against members of our families & communities. We demand an immediate stop to deportations now and full rights for all immigrants,” reads a message on their website.
This counter-protestor was temporarily detained after being accused of brandishing a weapon. After police talked to those involved,, he was released.
See these photos on YouTube:
About the author: Sean Rayford is a South Carolina photojournalist covering the southeastern United States. You can see some of his work at www.seanrayford.com