A truck attempted to barrel through a group of Jewish protesters who were demonstrating outside a detention center in Rhode Island on Wednesday evening (Aug. 14) in an incident that left five people hospitalized and drew attention to Jewish criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The demonstration, organized by the Jewish group Never Again Action, took place outside the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, R.I. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the center contracts with ICE to house migrants arrested along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Organizers say roughly 400 people gathered for the protest and at least 30 formed a human barricade blocking the entrance to the detention center.
People being held inside the detention center are watching and listening to our protest. Imam Abdelnasser Hussein from the RI Council for Muslim Advancement addresses them directly, to let them know that they are not alone, and they are not forgotten! pic.twitter.com/GEhDbg74Jt
— ✡️ Never Again Action ✡️ (@NeverAgainActn) August 15, 2019
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BREAKING: Here is HD video of an ICE guard driving his truck into us as we sat peacefully blocking the Wyatt Detention Center.
We’re putting our bodies on the line because we see the camps and the roundups. We’ve learned from our ancestors: NEVER AGAIN FOR ANYONE. pic.twitter.com/KnOu5xoOEb
— ✡️ Never Again Action ✡️ (@NeverAgainActn) August 15, 2019
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After the first ICE guard ran us over with his truck, the rest of them ran over & pepper-sprayed us. The police present just stood by and watched, doing nothing.
We are #JewsAgainstICE, immigrants, and allies. #NeverAgainMeans doing what it takes to #ShutDownICE. We'll be back. pic.twitter.com/56hF2sDfFA
— ✡️ Never Again Action ✡️ (@NeverAgainActn) August 15, 2019
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It was not just #JewsAgainstICE who were attacked by ICE guards. We were there with our immigrant allies from @amornetwork, @FangCollective, @ProgresoLatinoRI, & @Fuerza_Laboral. pic.twitter.com/rEC9GNgywW
— ✡️ Never Again Action ✡️ (@NeverAgainActn) August 15, 2019
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Lex Rofeberg, a demonstrator who is studying to be a rabbi in the Jewish Renewal Movement, said protesters were singing and chanting when a truck pulled up at about 9:45 p.m.
“This truck came and turned directly into the line of protesters,” he said. The driver “showed no interest or regard for the people in front of it, and drove directly into people.”
Footage of the incident, which was shared widely on social media throughout the day on Thursday, showed the truck slamming to a halt just inches from demonstrators sitting on the ground. As people screamed and rushed toward the commotion, a few demonstrators stood in front of the truck, placing their hands on the bumper.
Then the driver accelerated again.
“My impression is that this was designed to intimidate, and violently,” said Rofeberg, who stood a few feet from the truck as it surged forward.
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SOURCE: Religion News Service
