Furious about the way ICE terrorizes our communities--targeting field workers during a pandemic, even after Congress deemed them “essential”-- I created this sculpture series in an act of protest. “ICE Pop” echoes the popular protest chant, “MELT ICE!” while alluding to those targeted by this government agency: street vendors, who, from the hot valleys of southern California to the labyrinthine subway system of New York City, bring simple nostalgic joys into our everyday lives, all for a few bucks. 

-Joe Paleta