Hundreds March From Depot Park to Downtown Gainesville Protesting ICE and Israel, Police Respond
Hundreds of people took to the streets Tuesday protesting activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the United States’ support for Israel amid their attacks on Iran and Palestine.
Protesters heard from members of several activist groups before marching in the streets.
Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) member Zoe Lackey said, “The biggest lie the Trump administration pushes out is that immigrants are criminals invading our neighborhoods… It is this criminal administration that is invading our neighborhoods with weapons of war… It is this criminal administration that pushes the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza with our tax dollars. It’s this criminal administration that’s pushing for another endless war in the Middle East amid the current illegal Israeli airstrike on Iran.”
PSL member Brooke Bennet said, “We’re here to show solidarity with Los Angeles and solidarity with all immigrants in all communities in the United States of America. We’re supposed to be a country that embraces immigrants. Not just the Trump administration, but a lot of administrations in the past have worked on these deportation projects. At this point though, we’ve stepped it up to a new level of cruelty.”
Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) member Nelson said that ICE caused a lot of trauma for his family and talked about relatives being deported, wearing ankle monitors, or hiding in closets from agents breaking into their home. He suggested that activists campaign to make Gainesville a sanctuary city.
Protesters took to the roadway on S. Main Street, chanting, “The people, united, will never be defeated,” and “No justice, no peace. No ICE in our streets.”
Six Gainesville Police Department (GPD) patrol vehicles responded to the protest as the crowd marched across the road.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Please get out of the roadway,” an officer stated over their intercom as protesters marched.
Police order protesters to vacate the roadway (GnvInfo)
After a few moments, the officer reiterated, “Ladies and gentlemen. This is your opportunity to disperse. Arrests will be made.”
A GPD officer threatens to arrest protesters if they don’t get out of the road (GnvInfo)
Another officer made contact with two PSL members. The officer said they’re “more than welcome” to protest but “need to get out of the roadway.”
A minute later, the protesters moved over to the sidewalk and remained there for the rest of the march.
Protester vacate the streets after being threatened with arrest (GnvInfo)
The officer who threatened to make arrests stated, “Thank you. You may continue to protest peacefully. Please remain out of the roadway. We appreciate the cooperation.”
Some protesters shouted “Fuck you” while moving over to the sidewalk.
GPD officers followed the protesters back to Depot Park. After they returned, protesters voiced their displeasure while officers drove around the area.
A PSL member claims that GPD has signed a contract with ICE (GnvInfo)
As officers watched the crowd, a PSL member shouted out that “GPD has signed a contract with ICE; they work for them. The police are your enemies. We are the ones who are going to keep us safe.”
According to the GPD Records Department, they do not have an agreement with ICE.
The ICE website lists all of the agencies that have signed the 287 g form with ICE to allow local law enforcement to conduct immigration enforcement. GPD is not among the listed agencies.
Two months ago, GPD officers Brandon Vidal and Tyler Allen arrested University of Florida (UF) student Felipe Zapata Velásquez for traffic violations. According to WUFT, they arrested him knowing he’d be deported. However, Zapata Velásquez was taken into ICE custody at the Alachua County Jail. The jail is controlled by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, which has signed the 287 g agreement with ICE.
Every police agency in Alachua County besides GPD has signed the 287 g agreement with ICE. This includes the UF Police Department (PD), Santa Fe College PD, High Springs PD, Alachua PD and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
