January 10th was a deadline for some Middle Eastern immigrants to register with the INS. At the previous deadline, hundreds of Iranians who showed up to register were detained and put into jail. The community was in an uproar. Thousands of men who were only complying with the INS found themselves ethnically profiled as terrorists.

Activists were called to monitor the deadline on the 10th. I was there only for a couple hours, but there were around 40 people at any one time. Monitors changed throughout the day. The main organizations involved were MPAC, CAIR, and the ADC -- Arab and Middle Eastern civil rights groups that have been dealing with the increased repression faced by their people.

This photos shows activists at the rear gate of the federal building, where the van transporting detainees would exit.

This artist had the right idea.