Dozens of supporters of sanctuary cities swarmed the New Hampshire state house Wednesday to plead on behalf of a policy that’s already been killed by the state’s GOP majority and is unpopular with the general public.
Waving signs reading “Sanctuary” and “Cruelty Is Un-American,” a handful of progressive activists organized by the left-wing Kent Street Coalition sang a political parody of Jingle Bells featuring lyrics opposing ICE, increased voter ID requirements, and other Republican-backed policies.
(CREDIT: Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography)
A larger group appeared at the Executive Council meeting to ask Gov. Kelly Ayotte and the council to support their “Protect New Hampshire Residents from ICE Cruelty” petition.
“We, the undersigned, are gravely concerned with the choices our state has made, when confronted with federal attacks on our democratic institutions and abuses of our neighbors and communities. Instead of standing up and protecting Granite Staters from federal overreach, state leaders have opted to be complicit with egregious federal abuses,” the petition reads.
It also calls on Ayotte to “work with the state legislature to repeal the two anti-sanctuary laws passed in May 2025, and ensure that further anti-immigrant bills do not become law.”
The appeals fell on deaf ears.
“I said during my campaign that we wouldn’t let New Hampshire go the way of Massachusetts and their billion-dollar illegal immigration crisis,” Ayotte posted on social media. “This year, we delivered on our promise. Sanctuary cities are BANNED in New Hampshire.”
The progressives’ effort wasn’t helped by timing. Earlier this week, Attorney General John Formella’s office announced an illegal alien who was apprehended crossing into New Hampshire from Canada was sentenced to 60 months in prison after he was found with a stash of child sex abuse images.
While the progressives’ passion was clearly on display, their strategy was harder to spot. The House was in session for Veto Day, to vote on whether ot not to override Ayotte’s veto of 11 bills — none of which were related to immigration or voter ID. (All 11 vetoes were sustained.)
(CREDIT: Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography)
Some Republicans noted the irony of the political left’s new approach to the sanctuary city issue.
“It’s really fascinating how the New Hampshire Democrats – who for years claimed they didn’t support sanctuary cities in New Hampshire – are now organizing protests in favor of Sanctuary Cities after we’ve banned them,” Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) posted on X.
