Jamie Dallas closed her Southwest Florida digital fingerprinting and notary service business Tuesday to take to the streets above I-75 on the Estero Overpass Bridge. Now a North Fort Myers resident, the former Illinoisan took time from her work to coordinate a demonstration to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and what she said is a slippery slope toward fascism.<\/p>\n
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The north side of the I-75 Estero Overpass Bridge during the “Free America Walkout” orchestrated by WomensMarch.com. From left to right, the banners read “NO ICE, NO WAR, NO DICTATORS, and LOVE AMERICA\u2014FIGHT FASCISM.”<\/p>\n
Francisco Montes \/ Free America Walkout Estero Protest<\/p>\n
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The shadow of a banner hung on chain link fencing displays the prompt, “Be Brave\u2014Fight Fascism” at the “Free America Walkout” demonstration on the I-75 Estero Overpass Bridge. <\/p>\n
Beth Anne \/ Free America Walkout Estero Protest<\/p>\n
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The I-75 Estero Overpass Bridge during the “Free America Walkout” orchestrated by WomensMarch.com. From left to right, the banners read “ICE OUT, LOVE AMERICA\u2014FIGHT FASCISM, and NO ICE.” Event coordinator Jamie Dallas said that the windy conditions tore down a banner that read, “Be Brave\u2014Fight Fascism.”<\/p>\n
Matthew Bilyeu \/ Free America Walkout Estero Protest<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re not concerned, you\u2019re not paying enough attention. We have a civic duty and a moral obligation to stay informed right now and all the time. I feel like this is urgent, and people need a greater sense of urgency of the situation we\u2019re dealing with, freedom of speech, freedom of press, the inhumane treatment of immigrants.”<\/p>\n
Event Coordinator Jamie Dallas<\/p>\n
The Estero event was one of more than 1,200 across the U.S. that drew nearly 49,000 people Tuesday afternoon to take part in the Free America Walkout<\/a>, orchestrated by WomensMarch.com<\/a>. Locally, the event brought nearly 40 people, coordinated by Dallas, waving signs, flags, and banners, to the I-75 Estero Overpass Bridge. <\/p>\n Countless drivers, from cars to tractor trailers, passing by on I-75 and the overpass honked their horns in likely solidarity with the protesters. Dallas said the morale behind people at the event and the solidarity of the bystanders makes it worth losing a day of business.<\/p>\n \u201cI care about what happens in this community and everywhere in this country,\u201d Dallas said. \u201cThe way things are going, it seems he\u2019s trying to create a local empire. So, I have to serve the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n Also on the bridge were John Edwards, of Estero, and Elaine Gilbert, a snowbird from Maryland residing in Estero. They said they were happy to see that people took time out of their weekday to contribute to the demonstration.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s encouraging and you know, because a lot of people are at work, they couldn\u2019t come. \u201cBut the last one I went to on the weekend; there were hundreds of people. So, people are starting to get it, I think, and are starting to understand what\u2019s at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n Event Attendee Elaine Gilbert<\/p>\n Edwards added that it was also comforting to have at least two Lee County Sheriff’s Office cruisers patrolling the area.<\/p>\n The protest attracted people of all ages, including second-year Florida Gulf Coast University students Darby Nichols, a pre-nursing major, and Mycaina Paul, a political science major. Both said how important it is to exercise one\u2019s unalienable right to peacefully protest for the greater good.<\/p>\n \u201cI think a lot of people who aren\u2019t even threatened by ICE and people who aren\u2019t even immigrants, it\u2019s hard for them to come out because of the dangers,\u201d Nichols said. \u201cI think, using my privilege as a white woman to come out and defend other people, our country is lacking in empathy right now, severely, and you don\u2019t need to have something affect you to have it matter.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul shared a similar sentiment, but from an different perspective.<\/p>\n \u201cMy parents were immigrants. I just think it\u2019s important to understand and educate yourself with what\u2019s going on. It\u2019s not okay for people to be hateful, spewing hate, killing people because of their skin color, the way they look, or their sexuality. I think love and peace are really important. I once believed in America. We were once good. We\u2019re not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science Major Mycaina Paul<\/p>\n Dallas, Gilbert, Edwards, Nichols, and Paul said they look forward to the next local demonstration and hope others who may be circumspect about joining the movement to take that step.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m trying to protect democracy and prevent brutal dictatorship and hopefully stop another holocaust-type event,\u201d Dallas said.<\/p>\n The next event orchestrated by WomensMarch.com is planned for Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. in Minneapolis, Minnesota dubbed \u201cICE Out of Minnesota Day of Truth & Freedom<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information, visit WomensMarch.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n