"Melt the ICE" Protests Sweep Downtown Following Federal Funding Impasse

LAS VEGAS — Hundreds of demonstrators remained in the streets of Downtown Las Vegas until the early hours of Saturday morning, January 31, as part of the nationwide “ICE Out of Everywhere” day of action. The local surge in activism follows a week of student-led walkouts at high schools across the valley and is fueled by a high-stakes legislative battle in Washington, D.C.

Late Friday, the U.S. Senate narrowly averted a government shutdown but failed to reach a long-term agreement on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has been a vocal proponent of a two-week stopgap measure to allow for deeper negotiations regarding ICE restrictions. Local protesters gathered at the Lloyd George Federal Courthouse, many wearing red “Melt the ICE” beanies—a symbol of the movement that has gained global traction this month. The demonstration remained largely peaceful, though a heavy police presence was maintained near federal buildings throughout the night.