Elected officials and residents in Frederick, Maryland, are demanding answers following a tense weekend confrontation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and local protesters in the Tasker’s Chance neighborhood. According to witnesses and local advocacy groups, the incident escalated late Friday night after federal agents were in the neighborhood on Thursday.
Confrontation Erupts in Tasker’s Chance Neighborhood
The situation began on Thursday when residents noticed ICE agents staking out a house in Frederick. By Friday evening, protesters gathered at the scene, blocking the street and forming a human barrier by locking arms outside the home, video footage provided by Hagerstown Rapid Response shows. Federal agents moved in as tensions rose, pushing protesters and using a baton against at least one person on the ground, according to the video.
Tatiana Santos, a member of Indivisible Frederick Forward who witnessed the events, stated that residents felt terrorized during the multi-day operation. Soolah Kemp, a member of Hagerstown Rapid Response who arrived to support the neighborhood, criticized the federal tactics as inhumane. Both Santos and Kemp called on the Maryland Attorney General’s Office to investigate the incident. The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on Tuesday, and representatives for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
Local Police Response and Lack of Advance Notice
Frederick Police were called to the scene at 9 p.m. Gerlock confirmed that federal authorities made no arrests during the operation, and local officers also made no arrests.
“FPD was not notified in advance of the federal law enforcement operation and was not involved in its planning or execution,” Gerlock said in an email. She added that local officers worked solely to maintain public safety, protect property, and ensure individuals could exercise their constitutional rights without physical harm.
Elected Officials Call for Transparency and Investigation
Maryland Governor Wes Moore addressed the incident on Tuesday, stating that his office monitored the situation over the Labor Day weekend. Moore expressed broader concerns regarding the expanding scale and operational methods of federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Representative April McClain Delaney, whose 6th Congressional District includes Frederick, termed the confrontation deeply concerning. McClain Delaney stated that reports of federal agents using force against local residents demand an immediate and transparent investigation. Delegate Kris Fair, representing the local district, also voiced support for a thorough state and federal review to determine whether anyone’s civil rights were violated during the operation.
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