Protesters gathered in Downtown Salt Lake City near a site suspected to be a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility. Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County Mayor, joined protestors in opposing a detention facility in the state as more protests against ICE spread nationwide.
“This is a moment for Utahns to stand together, regardless of party, faith or where we live,” Wilson said in a statement over the weekend “A detention center of this magnitude would bring disruption, strain local resources and harm the economic and social fabric of our community.”
Her statement comes after a demonstration on Jan. 16 where some immigrant advocates say the first detention center in the state is rumored to be built. More protests and walkouts are planned across Salt Lake County.
People opposing ICE attended a Salt Lake City Council meeting on Tuesday to press for actions against immigration enforcement.
Walkouts were planned at both the University of Utah campus by Mecha de U of U.
“We are calling on U of U students to stand up against ICE by joining the national day of action against ICE terror,” the group said in a social media post announcing the walkout. At least one high school in the county is also staging a walkout.
The spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security says they have no plans to announce any new detention center sites.
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photo courtesy of McKenzie Romero, Utah News Dispatch
Editor: Hannah Clove
news@suunews.net
