COLLEGE PARK, M.d. – On Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. University of Maryland student demonstrators and members of the local Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter gathered at the UMD Memorial Chapel to mourn the deaths of Renee Good, Parody La, Alex Pretti and other recent victims of violence by ICE.
Taking shelter from the cold winter night, students gathered inside the campus chapel to mourn losses, celebrate wins, and speak out against injustice. Over a dozen UMD students came to the microphone to contribute their thoughts and opinions to the vigil, while dozens more sat in the Chapel pews to show support and solidarity for the victims and the anti-ICE movement.
Xiomara Bradden, a Maryland senior, was grateful for her opportunity to speak. “I still have the freedom of speech to deliver messages like I did tonight,” said Bradden after her brief speech at the vigil. “I want to honor the constitution by using our freedom of speech to achieve.”
Carsten Winslow, a senior and leading member of UMD’s YDSA chapter, was encouraged and heartened by the turnout. “It was great to see so many people, a lot more than we expected,” he said after the event’s conclusion. “We’re really glad that some people are taking issue with what’s going on in our country.”
The organizers of the event further encouraged students and alumni to join their local chapter of the YDSA to contribute donations, time, and support for the movement.
