Hunter
09/27/25
A large crowd estimated as high as 500 people attended a rally on the Iowa City Ped Mall Friday to protest the arrest of Jorge Gonzalez by plainclothes officers claiming to be federal agents.
The event, organized by Escucha Mi Voz Iowa, featured organizer Alejandra Escobar who talked about what happened. She said Gonzalez deserved dignity and justice.
The rally also featured Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague, who decried the violent way Gonzalez was taken in broad daylight in front of children, families and other patrons. Gonzalez’s fiancé, Laura Castro, explained that he was in the Alternatives to Detention program and had to wear an ankle monitor at all times so that ICE could track him.
Gonzalez is being held at the Linn County Correctional Facility and according to people who have been in contact with him, is in need of medical attention.
Other speakers included members of Gonzalez’s family, Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green, and state representative Eleanor Levin.
Escucha Mi Vos is holding a No ICE October Month of Action protective accompaniment at the Cedar Rapids ICE office Wednesday at 8:30am. More information is available on the group’s Facebook page.