AUGUSTA — Around 20 people gathered for a pro-ICE demonstrationin front of the State House on Wednesday.

The rally came as a response to anti-ICE protests following the death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 26-year-old from Colombia who was shot and killed Monday by an ICE agent in Biddeford.

Some participants waved American and Trump flags, while others held signs reading “We love ICE” and “Deport all illegals.” The song “Ice Ice Baby” was one of the songs played from a speaker.

Nicholas Blanchard, also known as Corn Pop, organized the protest and held a megaphone, shouting phrases like “You can’t make Maine nice without plenty of ICE.”

Blanchard, who is from Augusta, said he was motivated to organize the rally afterpeople said they were too afraid to go to Biddeford to support ICE after seeing his experience. While counter-protesting at anti-ICE demonstrations in Biddeford on Tuesday, Blanchard said he was physically assaulted numerous times.

Blanchard said he would like to see the truth come out about the killing in Biddeford.

“If you don’t agree with what’s going on, if a cop is acting unlawfully, comply,” Blanchard said. “When you get out of jail, or whatever happens afterwards, file a lawsuit, get you a lawyer, do it the legal way. There’s many avenues you can take besides not complying, trying to flee.”

Jeff Robertson, an Augusta resident, said he attended the rally because he supports ICE but he thinks there should be more accountability across all government agencies. He said everyone should comply with law enforcement if stopped.

“It doesn’t need to be complicated, it doesn’t need to be left, right, whatever,” Robertson said. “Police stop you, law enforcement stops you. Stop. Answer the questions. If you’re not guilty, you haven’t done anything, you go on your way. There’s no need for anybody to die.”

Five counter-protesters stood across State Street during the rally with a sign that read “If you don’t fight oppressive systems, you’re contributing.”

Blanchard repeatedly taunted one of the protestors for wearing a mask, and Timothy Bodnar, known online as Truth Slinger, crossed the road briefly to confront them.

Passing cars had mixed reactions to the rally with some honking and holding thumbs up and others yelling and flipping the crowd off.

Blanchard shouted insults back at the cars.