A protestor holds up a sign and chants along with other demonstrators at an anti-ICE protest in Galveston on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
A protestor holds a sign that states “hold ICE liable” at a demonstration along Seawall Boulevard on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
A Galveston drummer plays music at an anti-ICE protest along Seawall Boulevard on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
Protestor Sasha Francis holds up a sign alongside other anti-ICE demonstrators in Galveston on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
Protestors hold signs toward Seawall Boulevard in Galveston on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
A protestor walks along Seawall Boulevard in Galveston holding a written sign alongside other anti-ICE demonstrators on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
A protestor walks along Seawall Boulevard in Galveston holding a written sign alongside other anti-ICE demonstrators on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
Protestors hold signs toward Seawall Boulevard in Galveston on Feb. 1, 2026. (Photo Credit: Julianna Washburn/Houston Public Media)
More than 500 protesters marched down a portion of Seawall Boulevard as they echoed chants and held signs with written phrases such as “ICE out” on Sunday afternoon. The Galveston Island Democrats, who organized the demonstration, said they were peacefully protesting the federal government’s immigration enforcement tactics.
It was one of many demonstrations held in the Houston area, the state of Texas and across the country over the weekend following the recent shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minnesota. Hundreds of protesters also marched through Houston streets in early January.
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“It gives me hope again that there are so many people here that care, but also why are we having to do this?” Galveston resident Sasha Francis said during Sunday’s event. “Why are we having to protest time after time? I had to check my sign this morning and be like, “What am I protesting this time?’ We’ve had enough.”
Francis said she’s felt devastated by the recent killings in Minneapolis.
“It’s important that we come out and let people know, let our neighbors know that we care about them and we want to protect them,” Francis said.
Carol Derragon, who leads parades and protests for the Galveston Island Democrats, said they organized the protest for Sunday because she noticed a need for it. Organizers counted about 585 protesters near the start of the event, she said.
“We need to provide a safe place for people to do that, to express their First Amendment rights to be able to get with other people,” Derragon said. “That opportunity to get with other people that are like-minded and to just get out and speak and get that emotional connection … it’s invaluable.”
Sunday’s protest was Galveston Island Democrats’ second one this year. The group recently hosted a pop-up protest that garnered around six to eight attendees, Derragon said. To prepare for the larger crowd on Sunday, Derragon worked with the Galveston Police Department to make sure the protesters had a safe place to demonstrate. Derragon also said the group made sure to have extra leadership on site.
Derragon said she wanted to show people that it was possible to have their voices heard and stay safe at the same time.
“What hits the news … all the images are the terrible things and it’s like, no, you can come out with friends, with children and you can come out here and you’re safe and it’s fine and you can express that First Amendment right and get some warm, fuzzy feedback,” Derragon said.