To their own version of Chappell Roan’s song “Hot to go!” nearly 100 people protested in Center City Saturday, demanding that Enterprise Rent-A-Car stop leasing vehicles to ICE.
The song-filled action is part of a wave of demonstrations nationwide that began in Minnesota to put pressure on corporations to stop working or collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was organized by the groups No ICE Philly, the Rise Choir collective, and Singing Resistance Philly.
“ICE is utilizing Enterprise cars here and across the country for their operations to carry out individual kidnapping, tear families apart, and terrorize communities,” said Carrie Rathmann, a No ICE volunteer. “They’re putting profits over people and we’re here to say that’s not acceptable.”
A group of protesters also gathered last Saturday at Enterprise’s South 19th Street location and were able to talk to workers and management, Rathmann said. But this week, the office was closed and police were already present when the protesters arrived.
That did not deter the group.
Holding an “ICE abductions use Enterprise cars” banner, protesters sang and danced to bystanders’ applause and the supportive horn-honking from passing cars, . The group wants Enterprise to stop doing any business with ICE, and cancel existing rental contracts .
To Jessica Zimmerman, a member of Rise Choir, the company’s reaction suggests it is “feeling the pressure.”
“They closed their offices today to forfeit their profits, and so what we’re doing is making a difference,” said Zimmerman, who recently moved from Minneapolis to Philadelphia.
Since the coalition began protesting in early March, it has increased its size from 30 to about 100 people, organizers said. And they have no plans to stop showing up, Zimmerman said.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car did not respond to a request for comment. But it is notthe only company facing backlash for its ICE connections.
In February, about 40 anti-ICE activists were arrested for peacefully protesting inside a Target in South Philly, where protesters also demanded the company take a public stand against ICE actions at its stores.
Unlike the February Target protests, there were no arrests at the Saturday demonstration.
A woman who identified herself as Martian Marz said spaces like this make a difference, even for folks who have no singing experience.
“I’ve never done the singing. I’m definitely more of a sign holder,” Marz said. “But it is nice to be with people who share your values and who don’t want companies like Enterprise to make it easy for them to take our neighbors away.”