PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – More than 100 people gathered outside the Portland ICE facility Sunday afternoon for a sing-along protest. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeaceful, hopeful, happy. I think that\u2019s the general vibe,\u201d said Aaron Elliott, a local music director who participated in Sunday\u2019s protest. <\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s protest welcomed musicians like Elliott, as well as anyone looking to raise their voice through the power of song. With songs like John Lennon\u2019s \u201cImagine\u201d and Ben E. King\u2019s \u201cStand By Me,\u201d the crowd used music to spread their message.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so much history in the power of song for so many things: for working, for protesting, for getting the word out and for bringing people together,\u201d Elliot said. \u201cAnd I think all of those things are true here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lead organizer Dr. Laurie Vessely told FOX 12 she wanted to use music to help spread a message.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to show that it\u2019s everyday Americans that really don\u2019t like what\u2019s happening and we\u2019re doing it in a clearly peaceful manner,\u201d Vessely said. <\/p>\n
Sunda\u2019s protest is the second of its kind outside of the ICE facility. The same group first came together in January. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe did this in January – January 4 and some people were moved to tears by some of the songs,\u201d Vessely said. \u201cAnd so, it\u2019s really more than standing together. I think it helps build community.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Vessely said the group wanted to gather again, hoping that this time, the people behind the gates at the ICE facility might listen. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re singing a song to ICE. And it\u2019s called \u2018It\u2019s Okay to Change Your Mind,\u2019\u201d Vessely said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s basically inviting them to be courageous and to leave behind what they\u2019re doing, and join us in the resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group of singing protesters gathered on the sidewalk across the street from the ICE facility for about 90 minutes and performed 13 songs. Vessely said many of the songs were traditional protest songs. But other songs were selected based on their inspirational lyrics and messages. <\/p>\n
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