‘ICE Out': Jewish Activists Rally In Southfield Over Federal Lease

Michigan Advance

May 1, 2026

More than 60 Jewish community activists from Southeast Michigan gathered in Southfield on Thursday to protest against the U.S. General Services Administration lease in the One Towne Square building which houses ICE’s legal wing, the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.

The event, one of 16 events nationwide for a day of Jewish action against ICE, was hosted by the Southfield Neighbors Action Committee and Detroit Jews for Justice, as well as Lift Up Southfield!, The Shalom Center, Jews for a Secular Democracy and the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism.

“I was privileged to join nearly a thousand clergy during the height of the ICE occupation of Minneapolis,” said Rabbi Alana Alpert of Congregation T’chiyah. “Faith leaders and organizers taught us that we must fight ICE in every possible way – neighborhoods and cities and states must demonstrate that we are inhospitable to these criminals. And they taught us the songs that have been carrying them through this terrible time of state-sanctioned terror.”

Rabbi Ariana Silverman of Downtown Synagogue speaks at a protest against a lease used by ICE in Southfield. April 30, 2026. Courtesy of Progress Michigan.

The use of the building by ICE has drawn repeated criticism and protest from lawmakers, faith leaders and community members since it was reported in February that the lease would be used by ICE.

“The Metro Detroit Jewish community will not be silent while our neighbors live in fear,” said Lauren Fink, a Southfield resident and SNAC co-founder. “We are sending a message to corporations that enable the people who hunt, detain and murder our immigrant neighbors. We are sending a message to REDICO, whose office space is being used by lawyers who strip refugee children of their legal protections. Do right by our community and evict ICE.”

Protesters held signs calling on REDICO, the building management company of One Towne Square, to cancel the lease.

Multiple rabbis at the event compared the situation to the story of Exodus.

“God’s intervention in Egypt shows that God sides with the oppressed,” said Rabbi David Polsky, a Jewish educator and kashrut professional who lives in Southfield. “Therefore, as Jews, we say no to the oppression of the vulnerable, and no to ICE.”

“God didn’t save us then,” Rabbi Megan Brudney of Temple Beth El said, also in reference to the same faith story. “We will save us by knowing our neighbors. We will save us by calling our elected officials. We will save us by going to city council meetings. We will save us by organizing. We will save us by demanding that REDICO cancel the lease.”

A statement to the Michigan Advance from REDICO said that they were “aware” of Thursday’s rally and continue to hear from community members about the General Services Administration lease.

“We have been engaging consistently, directly and transparently with Southfield city officials, community leaders, citizens and religious leaders through in-person meetings, phone calls and written responses to questions—and we continue to hear a wide range of viewpoints,” the statement continued. “REDICO has been part of the Southfield community since 1967. Our employees live and work here. Our families are part of this community, and we remain deeply invested in its safety, stability and long-term success.”

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