(WALSENBURG, Colo.) — Protesters gathered in Walsenburg on Friday, Aug. 15, to oppose a proposed ICE detention center in the area.
The protest saw community members of Walsenburg and individuals from nearby communities such as Arvada and Trinidad holding signs and chanting against the establishment of the facility.
“There are other places that have detention centers, I don’t protest there because I don’t live there,” said Leia Marie, who is from Huerfano County. “So, the only reason I’m protesting here is because I live in the county.”
Richard Cowles, another protester who drove down from Arvada, stated, “These people are not murderers. They’re people who have come to our country for a better life.”
Paul Riederer, a protester from Denver, expressed concern about the treatment of detainees, saying many are just trying to get by, like his great-grandfather.
A confrontation occurred during the protest, but the Walsenburg Police arrived to maintain peace, and no arrests were made.
Walsenburg Mayor Garry Vezzani supports the proposed ICE facility, citing potential economic benefits for the city. “It puts us in a position where you got a chance to sell some water and sewer and collect some fees and pay off some debt that we’re currently under,” Vezzani said.
Leia Marie emphasized the importance of due process for all individuals, not just American citizens. “Due process for all. And that includes for all, not just for American citizens, not just for those born in this country, but everyone is entitled to due process,” she said.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by FOX21. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by FOX21 staff before being published.
About The Author
