4 days ago
Protestors stand against CoreCivic ICE facility in Leavenworth
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A group opposing the possible opening of an ICE detention facility in Leavenworth, Kansas gathered Saturday morning, July 19.
The CoreCivic Opposition Group of Leavenworth (CCOG – LV) led the 'Pots and Pans March' at 9:30 a.m., protesting the proposed opening of a private, for-profit ICE facility. The march was organized by Leavenworth residents, as well as some from around the area.
CoreCivic would make $4.2M a month running ICE detention center in Leavenworth
One of the organizers, Mike Trapp, described how he's seen the group grow over time.
'There were four of us at our first meeting,' he explained.
'Then we had a roundtable discussion where we brainstormed ways we could impact and got more people involved, and out of that event, this march arose.'
Others who attended the protest explained their reasons for protesting, sharing that immigrants are 'neighbors, not criminals.'
'I grew up in a very immigrant-dominant community and have so many immigrant family members and friends,' said Lynzie Clark, a demonstrator who came in to protest from out of town.
'I've watched my whole life the immigrant struggle and the impossible obstacles they put against the most loving and hard-working communities. None of these people deserve to be jailed for their birthplace. They are just like all of us. They're people.'
Around three dozen people were seen protesting CoreCivic and its attempt to turn a former private prison into an ICE detention center.
The protest comes after a Kansas City District Court judge temporarily blocked CoreCivic's plan. The judge sided with the City of Leavenworth that CoreCivic must first get the city's permission through zoning laws.
'I think it's great that they have actually responded well to trying to postpone and hold off and allowing them to roll in and take over with the CoreCivic facility,' said Nate Davis, who was seen at the protest.
'I hope that we can be the first of many for a rising movement for local communities to stand up to the authoritarian take down and the rule of law,' Trapp echoed.
Judge hears motions from CoreCivic in Leavenworth lawsuit
However, CoreCivic says they don't need that permission.
'We maintain the position that our facility, which we've operated for almost 30 years, does not require a Special Use Permit to care for detainees in partnership with ICE,' a release from Saturday reads.
'CoreCivic respects the judicial process and looks forward to the next steps in presenting our position to the court.'
According to CoreCivic's website, a partnership with ICE would generate 300 new jobs, $2 million annual payouts to the city and no detainees would be released in Leavenworth.
'The overall economic impact on the community and local jobs seekers would be significant,' a spokesperson for CoreCivic shared Saturday.
'MRRC serving as a partner to ICE would create about 300 new, good-paying jobs with a starting salary of $28.25/hour. We've had a positive response from jobs seekers interested in these positions. As of July 1, we've had over 2,000 unique applicants who submitted over 3,000 applications for the open positions at MRRC. About 115 employees have been hired.'
However, Trapp is standing strong.
'Leavenworth knows CoreCivic well and Leavenworth says no,' he said.
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