The Valley Stream Democratic Club will join several local Democratic clubs for a peaceful rally Feb. 21 calling to “de-ICE” Nassau County.
The demonstration will stretch along the north side of Sunrise Highway from Valley Stream to Massapequa, creating a continuous presence across multiple communities.
The idea for the rally originated with the Rockville Centre Democratic Club, which reached out to neighboring Democratic clubs to coordinate participation. Kelly Johnson, president of the Valley Stream Democratic Club since 2024, said she learned of the effort in late January, shortly after a club meeting, and quickly agreed to take part.
Organizers describe the rally as a peaceful demonstration intended to raise awareness about what they view as unlawful or overly aggressive actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Johnson said ICE has operated under the Department of Homeland Security since the early 2000s but believes its approach has changed in recent years.
“The operation is a lot more biased, a lot more aggressive, sometimes violent, reminiscent of how the Jim Crow laws were implemented in the United States in the late 1800s, and so that deserves some attention,” Johnson said. “It’s interesting that Americans don’t understand the connection.”
She cited concerns from members who reported being stopped while driving because they were perceived as not American, and accounts of ICE activity in certain neighborhoods that have caused stress among residents.
“Having a community that’s fearful is not okay, and having agents, people with guns — you want them to have protection, clearly — but it seems like there’s the military running around, and there’s a fear that it will be amplified soon in Nassau County, particularly since our county executive seems to be like a mini-Trump,” Johnson said. “We don’t want it.”
Patricia Meece, a Valley Stream resident for about 60 years and a new club member as of January, said she joined after finding the group on Facebook. She participated in eight protests throughout 2025.
“I think we’ve seen in the news what’s been going on, and it’s just so unfair and so out of control,” Meece said. “I just think that we feel something needs to be done, and if we keep quiet and nobody knows that we oppose what’s going on, they gain more power, and they do more and more outrageous things. I think it’s time people realize that we have to speak out.”
Both Johnson and Meece said they hope the rally reassures immigrant and mixed-status families that there are residents who support them. They described a successful outcome as a strong turnout and visible support from passing motorists, signaling community involvement.
Organizers emphasized that the event is intended to remain peaceful, with signs focused on what they describe as proper and lawful immigration enforcement. By lining a major roadway that runs across much of the county, participating clubs aim to demonstrate solidarity and encourage residents to become more engaged in local civic life.
