Every Wednesday, people from all over the state, including Wayland, come together at the ICE Detention Facility in Burlington to protest what is happening inside this otherwise ordinary-looking building behind the Burlington Mall.
This is the place that last June the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, the Milford High School student who was on his way to soccer practice. Da Silva, who has since been released, describes the conditions inside the facility as “deplorable,” sleeping on a concrete floor in a windowless room with only a mylar blanket for warmth, and little to no food or access to showers, and a single toilet shared with 35 others, with a camera overhead that is always on.
One of the more common signs at the protest sums up the detainees’ experience accurately: “Cruelty is the point.”
“There is nothing more disheartening than the unnecessary cruelty these people are subjected to,” said a Wayland resident who preferred not to be identified due to the contentious nature of the subject matter.
“However, there are tears of joy when the occasional car of family members leaves the facility to bring their loved one home, upon release. Sadly, though, that is a fairly rare sight.”
The peaceful protest is extremely well-run and has included notable speakers like Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Senator Ed Markey, State Rep. Seth Moulton, comedian Jimmy Tingle, and others. There are several ministers, rabbis and other faith leaders who attend regularly and sometimes speak at these events.
What began in March of 2025 with just two people has grown to numbers that exceed 700. Even in inclement weather, there are several hundred people who show up to protest the horrific conditions the immigrants are subjected to.
“We stand in peaceful solidarity outside the ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations Office in Burlington every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.,” it says on the group’s Facebook page, Bearing Witness @ Burlington MA ICE Office. “Together, we show love and support for immigrants, express our shame at ICE agents, and bear witness to the cruel and unconstitutional actions of our government. Regardless of your views on any other political issues, if you support immigrants and their constitutional rights and are committed to nonviolence you are welcome to join.”
For more information, visit bearingwitnessne.org.
