This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 5th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News covers ICE’s presence in Bloomington last week – a protest that happened on Friday and an in-studio interview with an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Committee. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Jack Hammersley from the local performance group Radiant Ensembles, a collective of student musicians bringing the joy of live music to seniors and schools. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

ICE Activity in Bloomington Sparks Protest, Raises Concerns Over Immigrant Rights

Hundreds of protesters gathered on the courthouse lawn on Friday to rally against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Bloomington last week.

ICE arrested three people in Bloomington last week and transported them to the Hopkins County Jail in Kentucky. A fourth person was apprehended at the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center on a federal warrant. As of May 4th, it’s been 24 hours since federal agents were spotted in Bloomington, according to the Palestinian Solidarity Committee.

Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian captured audio and video from the protest on Friday. Malak Samara, a member of the Palestine Solidarity Committee, spoke over a megaphone in support of the immigrant population in Bloomington.

“Our immigrant brothers and sisters – they are just like us, and they need our help right now,” said Samara. “We will not conform to their this regime’s oppressive policies.”

One demonstrator said undocumented immigrants make up a large part of the American workforce without the same rights and protections as American citizens.

“Our federal government likes to act like immigrants are criminals that weigh down our societies; when in fact, this country runs on undocumented immigrants – where the only jobs available to them are cheap labor so that large corporations can make more profit off of their backs. All the while, our government collects their tax money and provides zero social services in return,” said the speaker.

Another protester suggested that ICE’s presence in Bloomington is a moral issue and has spread fear in the community. In their view, college campuses should be a safe haven for undocumented immigrants.

“Let us be clear, this is not just about immigration status,” said the protester. “It thrives on the logic that some lives are disposable, some lives are just not worth enough or not worth as much, and that is sincerely disgusting.”

IU Student Adri Cruz said she grew up in fear that her family members would be arrested. She delivered her remarks at the protest fighting back tears.

“These past few days, I should have been studying for my exams, but instead, I’ve been glued to my phone, caring for my people,” said Cruz. “It’s no secret that federal agents are here in Bloomington and targeting members of our community.”

For those seeking information or support related to immigration enforcement:

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Tim Clark, an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Committee, who helped coordinate Friday’s rally and has been vocal about the recent ICE operations in Bloomington. We turn now to that conversation.

Radiant Ensembles is a local performance group of student musicians who give back to their community. They perform in schools, nursing homes and anyplace else that needs good vibes. Founder Jack Hammersley says the joy they take is equal to the joy they make. Jack worries that current threats to education at the state and national level will make music education more difficult, so he’s asking you to support Radiant Ensembles on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

Credits: