CAPE CORAL – Protesters filled an intersection in Cape Coral, raising their voices against immigration enforcement and U.S. foreign policy. The demonstration coincided with the Cape Coral Art Festival, turning Del Prado Boulevard into a hub of activism.
“People are out today because they are outraged at the direction this country is going in,” said Clare Dooley, a protest organizer.
Dooley emphasized the group’s demands, saying, “We want ICE out of our cities, and we want our military out of Venezuela.”
For many, the protest was also about community presence. “This is my community, and I feel like there’s a lot of opposition here, and I just wanted to show my support and be with people that are just like me,” said protester Kelli Stripling. She added, “We feel like we’re just blue dots in a red town. So all the blue dots come together.”
The recent death of Rene Nicole Good was also a focal point for some protesters, who linked it to federal immigration enforcement. “She was murdered by an ICE Law Enforcement agent,” Stripling said. Denise McCleary, another protester, highlighted the need for unity beyond political lines. “I spent 34 years in the military. I never asked if anybody was a Democrat or Republican. We’re supposed to work together,” McCleary said.
Protesters expressed a desire for their message to resonate beyond the event. “I hope to see more people get involved, to hold our representatives accountable, because we are the government, we have to make sure that they know what our wishes are,” said Pattie Schreiber, a protester.
The demonstration in Cape Coral highlighted a collective call for change, focusing on immigration and foreign policy, while also emphasizing community solidarity and political accountability.