Between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, it was the fourth local protest of the week, according to Adirondack People Power co-organizer Keela Grimmette. Sunday’s protest had a somber, but collective, tone as the group marched in silence on the sidewalks along River, Church and Main streets.

Grimmette said that Adirondack People Power, one of the groups that organized the event, chose to do a silent protest to collectively experience the grief that many felt from Good’s shooting death in Minneapolis. She said people are afraid now, but there’s power to be drawn from coming together.

“The general feel I get is this continued need to come together,” she said. “Enough is enough. This is not who we are. This is not the kind of country that we want to live in. There’s way too much hate and fear and anger and not defending the Constitution.”

Grimmette added that while Sunday’s turnout was likely amplified by the Minneapolis shooting, the demonstration was also meant to protest what gatherers see as increasingly violent tactics from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Grimmette pointed to the routine wearing of masks by agents during enforcement operations.

Demonstrators make their way past Hotel Saranac on Main Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“Think for a minute,” she said. “Do we need masked agents in our communities? Is that something we want to go towards? Because I solidly feel like that’s not making us safer. That’s making us feel more fearful. We have law enforcement for a reason — 100% they’re there to keep us safe and keep crime from occurring — but that’s not what this is.”

On its website, ICE said agents often wear masks to prevent “doxing,” or the intentional exposure of personally identifying information on public platforms, typically with malicious intent, such as harassment of the individual.

“ICE law enforcement officers wear masks to prevent doxing, which can [and has] placed them and their families at risk,” ICE’s website states. “All ICE law enforcement officers carry badges and credentials and will identify themselves when required for public safety or legal necessity.”

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Creating a safe protest

Demonstrators make their way past Hotel Saranac on Main Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

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Grimmette said that when planning a demonstration like Sunday’s, safety is at the forefront of her organization.

“We’re a nonviolent gathering,” she said. “I always remind the entire group of that. Anyone who shows up, that’s first and foremost. We’re here to be nonviolent. We are not here to give in to the narratives that the administration is saying.”

Grimmette said that Adirondack People Power has a safety team that meets ahead of the gathering. Its members are trained in de-escalatory tactics in the event of a confrontation between protesters and counter-protesters.

She said the team also made sure Sunday’s protest was adhering to all traffic laws as people made their way around Saranac Lake on the sidewalks. Grimmette said the team also reached out to local law enforcement in advance.

Demonstrators stand in Riverside Park in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Provided photo — Greg Kie)

“We always touch base with the police, first and foremost, so that they know we’re going to be out there and that they aren’t caught off guard by a large group of folks doing some kind of action in the community,” she said. “We have a great relationship with them.”

Grimette said that Adirondack People Power is planning another gathering in Saranac Lake on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Riverside Park.

Demonstrators make their way down River Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Demonstrators make their way down River Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Demonstrators stand in Riverside Park in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Provided photo — Greg Kie)

Demonstrators walk down Main Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Provided photo — Grace McIntyre)

Demonstrators make their way down River Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Demonstrators make their way down River Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Demonstrators make their way past Hotel Saranac on Main Street in Saranac Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)