Protest Against ICE In Downtown Nantucket Marred By Alleged Assault

A protest against the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in downtown Nantucket on Saturday was marred by an alleged assault on a 69-year-old woman who was taking part in the demonstration.

The "Justice For All" protest, organized by the left-leaning political action group Indivisible Nantucket, began with a candlelight vigil at Children's Beach and was followed by a march through the downtown area.

The incident occurred as protestors were marching down South Beach Street, chanting and carrying signs. That was when a man in a blue blazer allegedly charged through the protest.

"As our group walked, a couple approached from the opposite direction," Indivisible Nantucket leader Alison Forsgren told the Current. "Rather than stepping aside onto Whaler's Lane to let us pass, they forced their way through the procession, shouting that we were 'crazy' among other things, and pushing participants. One woman was shoved but caught before she fell. Laura was knocked to the ground, landing on a pile of bricks and rubble at the corner of South Beach and Whaler's Lane. She was slow to get up and needed time to catch her breath."

The woman was island resident Laura Anderson, who has been a member of Indivisible Nantucket since 2017.

"I was silently walking with the group, holding a candle, when I heard a man yelling loudly and angrily," Anderson said in a statement shared with the Current. "Without any warning, he suddenly and forcefully pushed me from the rear. I had no chance to catch myself and fell hard onto a pile of bricks on the sidewalk. I had never spoken to him before, and I did nothing to provoke or threaten him. I couldn't get up on my own, and was frightened that more violence might follow. A police officer who was across the street responded almost immediately and began questioning the man."

Forsgren said Nantucket Police officers "immediately apprehended the man. He said he had no identification because his wife had left with his wallet."

Police have not yet responded to the Current's inquiry about the incident; however, the incident was noted in the department's public log as a "disturbance" and that a criminal complaint had been filed. The man's identity was not disclosed in the police log.

Anderson went to Nantucket Cottage Hospital on Sunday to be evaluated as a result of the incident.

"I went to the hospital because I was in pain and I wanted to make sure I hadn't suffered serious injuries," Anderson said. "I'm still recovering and continue to have pain both physically and emotionally. I participated in a peaceful vigil to stand against violence, and instead I became the victim of an unprovoked act of violence myself. No one should have to fear being assaulted simply for peacefully gathering with their community. I hope the person responsible is held accountable, and that no one else has to experience what I did."

Saturday's protest was the latest demonstration organized by Indivisible Nantucket, which has been the driving force behind numerous rallies against President Donald Trump's administration since he took office in 2024.

The "Justice For All" vigil and march on Saturday was organized to express "concern about ICE. It was part of a nationwide day of action supporting due process rights for everyone," Forsgren said.