As tensions rise in Western North Carolina, residents gathered on Sunday to voice their opposition to recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection activities in Charlotte, where at least 81 individuals were detained. Organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the protest took place in downtown Asheville, a day after Mayor Esther Manheimer expressed concerns that the city might be targeted by CBP operations.
Evan Branan, a party organizer, emphasized the commitment of local residents to stand by their immigrant neighbors, stating, “Just like Chicago and L.A., we’re gonna defend our immigrant neighbors with a united mass movement,” as reported by BPR. The demonstration saw over 100 participants chanting slogans like “No ICE on our streets” and carrying signs.
Among the protesters was Francisco Gonzalez, a Hendersonville resident for 23 years, who expressed the community’s growing unease. “People are anxious,” Gonzalez remarked. “They don’t want to go out right now to the store. Some people are not even going to church.”
Robin Southe Corvo, a 38-year Asheville resident, also joined the protest due to her views on CBP, which she described as a “horrible organization.” Corvo added, “They are endangering all of us. They’re taking children, they’re taking citizens, they’re deporting people to foreign countries that they don’t belong to.”
The Asheville Police Department, through spokesperson Rick Rice, reassured the community of their commitment to maintaining trust with all immigrant residents. In a statement to BPR, Rice noted, “We value our strong relationships with all immigrant members of our community and remain dedicated to building trust.” He encouraged everyone, regardless of their immigration status, to report crimes without fear.
Echoing this sentiment, Matt Marshall, Public Information Officer for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, highlighted the distinction between federal and state responsibilities. In an email to BPR, Marshall stated, “The Sheriff is elected to enforce state law and immigration is a federal issue…if Border Protection is coming to Buncombe County to find violent and dangerous criminals, then the Sheriff is open to that for the safety of the community.” However, he clarified that the Sheriff would not support federal immigration raids.
Both the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office reported that they had not been contacted by federal immigration officials regarding any operations in the area. BPR also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, but no response was received by the time of publication.
Currently, there have been no confirmed reports of federal immigration agents operating in the region.
