Thousands Protest Nationwide ICE Activity in Madison

Thousands Protest Nationwide ICE Activity in Madison

On January 30, 2026, thousands of University of Wisconsin students and Madison residents participated in a general strike and protest against ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the country. The event began at Library Mall, where attendees rallied and listened to speakers, before marching down State Street to the Capitol for continued demonstrations.

The protest was organized by local groups, including Madison Socialist Alternative and Madison Area Democratic Socialist of America. Similar events were held nationwide, with participants engaging in “no work, no school, no shopping” strikes to express their opposition to ICE activities.

During the march, organizers faced technical difficulties when their public address system lost power, leading to a 25-minute delay. Despite this setback, the protest proceeded with megaphones, ensuring that the message was heard by all present.

The demonstration underscores the community’s commitment to advocating for immigrant rights and opposing federal immigration enforcement actions.

Sources

• Thousands gather in Madison to protest nationwide ICE activity