Rally and March follow ICE activity on Santa Barbara’s Eastside

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) In a space at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse arch, known for recent vigils for Alex Pretti and Renee Good people rallied on Wednesday night.

Many are upset about ICE activity involving pepper spray on Santa Barbara's Eastside. 

Ana Garcia witnesses it.

Garcia said they have been doing a good job protecting their neighbors.

Garcia said it is not clear if anyone was taken from the Eastside but people have been taken into custody by ICE in many neighborhoods up and down the coast.

City Council Member Wendy Santamaria witnesses the activity in the First District that she represents.

" I was already out on the Eastside around Franklin Elementary School. We were giving out information and the knew your rights hotline number and we started to hear whistles,  honking and the Rapid Response Network activated. I got footage and testimonies of people telling me this person was pushed by an ICE agent somebody got pepper sprayed that is the reason I am out here tonight because I know our police department put out a press release saying there is not collaboration but I am hearing and seeing different things, so we need some answers and clarity," said Santamaria.

She is calling for a Town Hall.

She wants people to know where the Police Department stands.

A commotion near a political projection on the courthouse wall was diffused during the rally when someone step in to hug a veteran walking by.

A march to the Santa Barbara Police Station followed.

Some participants are upset about the money going towards the building of a new station at a time when people feel traumatized.