Protesters Rally Against ICE at Lynn Commons

Community members, students, and local leaders gather to demand an end to ICE cooperation and deportations in Lynn.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:42pm

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A large crowd of residents, students, and local leaders filled the Lynn Commons for a rally organized by a neighbor-to-neighbor network and youth groups. The protesters marched, chanted, and shared personal stories of loved ones detained by immigration authorities. Speakers called for an end to cooperation between Lynn police and ICE, as well as increased legal assistance for immigrants impacted by ICE actions.

Why it matters

The rally is the latest in a series of protests in Lynn against the presence of ICE in the community. Activists are pushing for the city to cut ties with federal immigration enforcement and provide more support for immigrant residents, who live in fear of deportation.

The details

The rally featured drums, bubbles, and signs as protesters circled the Lynn Commons. Speakers like Johnson Mao and Celly De La Cruz framed the gathering as both a protest and a community defense, urging local officials to do more to protect immigrant residents. Residents shared personal stories of loved ones detained by ICE, with one mother describing how her son "just walked in... for their appointment, and didn't come out." The protesters are demanding that ICE be removed from the Lynn Police Station and Lynn District Courts, and that the city budget include funding for legal assistance for immigrants.

  • The rally took place on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
  • Organizers say another demonstration is planned for May 1.

The players

Johnson Mao

An emcee at the rally who urged local officials to do more to protect immigrant residents.

Celly De La Cruz

An emcee at the rally who framed the gathering as both a protest and a community defense.

Mireille

A mother who described how her son was detained by ICE and transferred across the country.

Annie

A Lynn resident of over a decade who spoke about multiple family members being taken by ICE.

Presner

An individual whose brother passed away in ICE detention following untreated illness.

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What they’re saying

“We are here to stand… (as) proud members of the community that refuse to stay silent.”

— Johnson Mao, Emcee

“Three men, three fathers, three workers, three dreams torn from Lynn.”

— Annie, Lynn Resident

“My brother… was not a criminal. He was a decent man.”

— Presner

What’s next

Organizers say another demonstration against ICE is planned for May 1.

The takeaway

The rally highlights the ongoing tensions in Lynn over the presence of ICE and the impact of deportations on immigrant families. Activists are pressing the city to cut ties with federal immigration enforcement and provide more support for vulnerable residents.