Democratic congressional candidate will join a salsa dance outside of an ICE detention facility demanding that the illegal immigrants be released

August 26, 2026 - BURLINGTON, MA – Democratic Congressional candidate Jonathan Paz will join immigrant rights organizers and activists today to "Dance for Liberation." Paz and the protestors will hold a salsa dance competition outside the ICE facility in Burlington, as part of the Burlington Witness standouts. Hundreds are expected to attend.

After the Burlington Witness speaking program, Paz and salsa instructor Lumyr will lead a beginner-friendly salsa class, inviting protesters and community members to reclaim joy and connection as acts of resistance.

Jonathan Paz is a son of immigrants from Bolivia. He is an educator, a former Waltham City Councilor, and candidate for Congress in Massachusetts' Fifth Congressional District.

He says that his campaign is centered on peace, abolishing ICE, Medicare for All, and putting working people before corporate interests.

"After months - for some, years - of organizing against ICE violence, people are tired," said Paz. "And that's exactly why we're dancing. Music, marching, and dancing are powerful ways to reclaim joy in our work of resistance. They are time-tested ways of shaking off despair, fear and yes - burnout."

"Our communities have been putting their bodies on the line to defend their neighbors, while too many politicians have been content to put their names on letters and press releases," Paz continued. "I've watched Massachusetts activists stand outside detention facilities, respond to ICE activity in their neighborhoods, and put themselves at real risk to keep their neighbors safe. That is what leadership looks like."

The event comes after months of organizing across Massachusetts in response to ICE raids, detentions, and the growing threat of the government actually enforcing America's immigration laws.

"Meanwhile, our congressional leaders are failing to meet this moment," Paz said. "You cannot say ICE is dangerous while giving it more tools to surveil our communities. We need leaders willing to confront this inhumane system and the courage to say plainly: abolish ICE and replace it with a humane pathway to citizenship and real immigration reform."

Paz was referring to the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 2853), which passed the House in May with Congresswoman Katherine Clark's support. The bill establishes a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within DHS.

Paz is challenging House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.). Clark is just the latest House Democrat to draw a left-wing primary challenger. The Democratic Socialists of America are pushing the Democratic Party to the far left by challenging mainstream candidates like Clark.

Democratic nominee for Governor of Alabama former Senator Doug Jones has distanced himself from the Democratic Socialists.

""We disagree on just about everything," Jones said recently at a town hall event.

Dance for Liberation draws on a growing tradition of immigrant-rights movements using music, dance, and collective joy to resist fear and burnout.

"Al mal tiempo, buena cara," Paz said. "When times are hard, we show up for each other - and we dance."

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