As Super Bowl LX took place Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, roughly 1,000 demonstrators marched nearby to demand that federal immigration agents leave the Bay Area and communities across the country.

Organizers said the protest was partly prompted by statements made last year by the Department of Homeland Security suggesting that ICE agents could be deployed during the Super Bowl. Although federal and local officials later said that would not occur, participants said fears of possible immigration enforcement remain, and they wanted to make clear that ICE was not welcome.

According to Pan Garcia Breceda of the San Jose Community Service Organization, more than 130 organizations joined the demonstration.

Garcia Breceda said the rally was meant to stand up to threats against immigrant communities, saying protesters were sending a message to Kristi Noem that they would not remain silent and that the community stands together in support of one another.

The march covered about a mile toward the stadium and then returned along the same route.

Berlin Sudduth of Mountain View, who joined the demonstration, said the goal was also to show visitors from across the country and around the world what the region represents, adding that he hoped Super Bowl attendees would see the Bay Area as a place that stands up for its values.