THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 18, 2025 Page 11 Malden residents hold protest rally over local dad taken into custody by federal ICE agents Nearly 100 march from Ferryway School to Lincoln Commons and call for his release By Steve Freker A month and a half ago, Heitor Soares was acting in the last production of his high school career, “Alice in Wonderland.” Three weeks ago, Heitor and 400 of his classmates were handed diplomas by Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo, signifying their graduation as members of the Class of 2025. On June 13, Heitor, 19, found himself in another speaking role, this time in a real-life drama that hit him and his family directly. “They took my father right here, right at this place,” Heitor shouted into a hand-held megaphone Friday, pointing down the street to his left, near the Ferryway School entrance, “and we want him back!” They rallied right where they said the injustice took place, hoping to right what they claimed was a painful wrong, the sidewalk in front of the Ferryway K-8 School at the intersection of Ferry and Cross Streets. The recently graduated MHS senior told the sign-wielding crowd of nearly 100 at the rally that his father, Leonardo, had just dropped off his two younger brothers at Ferryway School on the final day of classes on June 13. His father returned to his car, Soares told the crowd, when he was quickly approached by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, and the elder Soares was taken into custody. While this action did not take place inside a school, it is the first instance of ICE taking someone into custody in Malden, reported in any capacity — officially or unofficially — that took place in such close proximity to a school. ICE is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security. ICE’s stated mission is to protect the United States from transnational crime and illegal immigration that threaten naRALLY CROWD: The rally grew as Heitor Soares spoke of his father’s detention by federal ICE agents in front of a Malden school. ADDRESSING THE CROWD: Malden teen Heitor Soares, flanked by his friend Sean Retotal, addresses the audience at a rally calling for the release of his father from ICE custody. (Advocate Photo) tional security and public safety. In the past five-plus months, ICE reportedly has taken tens of thousands of individuals it claims are in this country illegally and/ or possessing criminal records and detaining many, deporting some. Soares told the crowd gathered at the rally, “My father did nothing wrong. They did not have the right to take him.” “Me and my brothers and my family need him,” Soares said, pointing to his two younger brothers, one draped with a Brazilian Flag around his shoulders, who were also at the rally. Soares also revealed that his father is being treated as a cancer patient and needed regular medication, and whether he is receiving it was in question. After a brief instruction on safety, an introduction to volunteer road marshals and some supportive chants, the rally atSOARES BROTHERS: Two young brothers from the Soares family listen to their older brother Heitor address the crowd. tendees — assisted by members of the Malden Police Department and Police Chief Glenn Cronin — began a march easterly on Cross Street. The rally members marched about a quarter mile to Lincoln Commons. When they arrived, they gathered again to listen to some selected speakers, including Ward 4 Councillor Ryan MARCHING: Close to 100 participants marched on Friday from Ferryway K-8 School to Lincoln Commons to protest ICE detention of a Malden man. (Advocate Photo) O’Malley, who exhorted federal officials to honor the Soares family’s request and release Leonardo Soares. Heitor Soares thanked all who had participated in the rally and march and noted that over a dozen Malden High School educators and staff, including MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo, and other educators and staff from Ferryway and other Malden schools, were on hand. He also expressed gratitude to many of his Malden High classmates, led by his best friend Sean Retotal, who helped lead the march along with him. Attempts to obtain information on Leonardo Soares’ status from federal officials were unsuccessful.
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