Rule of Law ‘Under Siege,’ Say Rochester Activists at Federal Building Protest

More than 200 Rochester-area residents gathered outside the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building on Wednesday to demand due process and the protection of constitutional rights in the face of aggressive immigration enforcement by the Trump administration.

The protest, organized by Indivisible Rochester and joined by several immigrant rights advocacy groups, decried what participants called the unconstitutional detention and deportation of U.S. residents. Central to their demands was the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who activists say remains imprisoned in El Salvador despite a U.S. court order for his return.

“The administration’s actions are not only cruel but defy our judicial system,” said Ginny Hall, co-coordinator of Indivisible Rochester. “We’re calling on our elected officials to stand up and fight for the Constitution.”

Protesters also called for Democratic leadership in Congress to take a stronger stance against what they describe as authoritarian moves by the Trump-Musk administration, including threats to send U.S. citizens to foreign prisons and the erosion of civil liberties.

“No family should have to worry that taking their child to school might lead to separation,” said Cassandra Bocanegra, manager of organizing and strategy for the Finger Lakes office of the New York Immigration Coalition. “We need our leaders in Albany and Washington to protect our immigrant neighbors and ensure their safety.”

Bocanegra urged passage of state measures like the Access to Representation Act, which would guarantee legal counsel to immigrants facing deportation, and the New York For All Act, which limits the use of local resources in federal immigration enforcement.

The protest came a day after two men were reportedly detained from a roofing crew in Irondequoit, with no public information provided about the charges or their whereabouts. The detentions added urgency to the protesters’ demands for transparency and accountability.

“We’re seeing a systematic dismantling of due process,” said Hall. “This isn’t just about immigration—it’s about whether our democracy holds.”

In a joint statement, Assemblywoman Sarah Clark and Sen. Samra Brouk, whose districts include Irondequoit, condemned the detainments and called for federal transparency.

“Every New Yorker deserves our protection,” the lawmakers said. “We will continue to demand accountability and defend the rights of our immigrant communities.”

The Western New York Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies also issued a statement in support of the protest, calling the reported deportation of Abrego Garcia without due process a “dangerous precedent” and urging immediate action from all levels of government.

Indivisible Rochester has been pushing Senate Democrats to mount a more aggressive opposition strategy, including forming a shadow cabinet or messaging “war room” to counter what they see as attacks on democratic institutions and vulnerable communities. The group has also called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down from leadership.

Earlier this month, Indivisible Rochester helped organize a “Hands Off” rally at Cobbs Hill Park, which drew an estimated 4,000 people protesting threats to civil rights and federal programs.

Citing research highlighted by the BBC, the group noted that nonviolent protests involving 3.5 percent of a population have historically led to significant political change.

“We are ordinary citizens committed to defending our democracy,” Hall said. “In a city shaped by the legacies of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, we stand in a spirit of inclusion, clarity and courage.”

Indivisible Rochester encourages citizens to contact their elected officials and join their movement for democratic accountability.