Rough situation for the man from Ecuador, but it went awry from the start of the day. I cheered on the protestors because they kept ICE from detaining the man before they had a warrant. It took them 7 hours to get a warrant. So what had ICE done? They pursued the man who was driving, during morning rush hour, near two schools, causing car crashes. They never informed local police about it. Police came only because they were called due to there having been car crashes. The man drove back to his house (from where the pursuit began), and hid inside. ICE was outside. The protestors heckled ICE all day. (I really doubt that makes anything safer for anyone.) The local police attempted to keep peaceful protestors safe. Not all the protestors were entirely peaceful. Tensions rose. The state police joined the scene. I think it went too far after ICE got a real warrant and the protestors refused to leave. They even refused to leave after the man (and two other adults with him) were taken from the house they were hiding in. Then they clashed with local and state police. I think that's unfortunate because it makes peaceful protestors (today and in the future) less safe. But I also imagine it was a hard day for everyone.
Also note that the man had entered the US illegally and had a DUI in January. (Not helpful!) But note also that a child was safely taken from the home by Migrant Justice folks, as previously planned for a situation like this, with pre-agreed upon guardianship and the plan to reunite the family in due time.
Day-long I.C.E. event in Vermont
ReplyDeleteRough situation for the man from Ecuador, but it went awry from the start of the day. I cheered on the protestors because they kept ICE from detaining the man before they had a warrant. It took them 7 hours to get a warrant. So what had ICE done? They pursued the man who was driving, during morning rush hour, near two schools, causing car crashes. They never informed local police about it. Police came only because they were called due to there having been car crashes. The man drove back to his house (from where the pursuit began), and hid inside. ICE was outside.
DeleteThe protestors heckled ICE all day. (I really doubt that makes anything safer for anyone.) The local police attempted to keep peaceful protestors safe. Not all the protestors were entirely peaceful. Tensions rose. The state police joined the scene. I think it went too far after ICE got a real warrant and the protestors refused to leave. They even refused to leave after the man (and two other adults with him) were taken from the house they were hiding in. Then they clashed with local and state police. I think that's unfortunate because it makes peaceful protestors (today and in the future) less safe. But I also imagine it was a hard day for everyone.
Also note that the man had entered the US illegally and had a DUI in January. (Not helpful!)
DeleteBut note also that a child was safely taken from the home by Migrant Justice folks, as previously planned for a situation like this, with pre-agreed upon guardianship and the plan to reunite the family in due time.