At Mardi Gras, New Orleanians say ‘F*** ICE!’

New Orleans, Feb.18 – “F*** ICE” might as well have been an unofficial motto of Mardi Gras 2026 — graffitied around the city (along with “ABOLISH ICE”), printed on signs, and even stitched into the costumes of carnival-goers. Some parading groups or krewes, like Krewe du Vieux, integrated anti-ICE messaging into their floats and walking contingents.

The people of New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana have seen our communities terrorized by ICE’s gestapo tactics. And New Orleans has been under National Guard occupation since December. It should hardly be surprising that people chose to express their righteous anger during the holiday, when thousands are out in the streets, and many local traditions reflect long histories of people’s struggles – Black, Indigenous, working class, queer, trans, immigrant.

The state’s right wing likes to paint New Orleans as an aberration — an enclave of ‘coastal liberals’ in a sea of red. But outside Orleans Parish, people have been organizing against ICE in St. Tammany, Jefferson, Tangipahoa and other parishes. Mothers new to activism are conducting daily ICE watches after seeing agents operate in their towns. Neighbors are sharing rapid-response alerts. Small community networks are forming to document raids and show up when families are targeted.

Those opposing ICE down here are in line with trends across the country. A February poll by PBS News/NPR/Marist found that a majority of people in the U.S. disapprove of what ICE is doing. Almost two-thirds, or 65%, say that ICE has gone too far. A majority say that ICE is making communities less safe. 

This poll was conducted in the days after the highly public killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal paramilitary forces in Minneapolis, along with much less visible deaths of immigrants in ICE custody.

Over this same time period, thousands in New Orleans have marched against ICE. High school students staged walkouts at three schools, at least. People here have participated in a country-wide movement, where the general strike in Minneapolis is like a beacon showing the immense power of the working class; workers can shut the economy down, including in New Orleans.

So, yes, Mardi Gras 2026’s “F*** ICE!” current was right on time. It shows where a lot of people are at. So, let’s promise that Carnival won’t be the last time we meet each other in the streets.