Activists Are Warning That The Guard Running His Truck Through Protesters Is Not Going To Be The Last
People across the U.S. are stunned by a viral Twitter video showing a contract Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) guard driving his pick-up truck through a crowd of protesters. The protesters, part of the Jewish activist organization Never Again Action, posted videos of the assault on Twitter and it has sparked outrage at the actions of law enforcement at the scene. Here’s what happened.
Captain Thomas Woodworth has been placed on administrative leave following the incident, according to authorities.
âThe incident which occurred last night is currently being investigated by the Rhode Island State Police,â a statement to the Boston Globe read. âDonald W. Wyatt Detention Facility Warden Daniel Martin is also conducting a top to bottom review of the incident, Wyatt correctional officersâ response, and the Wyattâs protocols regarding protest activities outside of the facility. Captain Thomas Woodworth has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the independent investigation being conducted by the Rhode Island State Police, and the Wyattâs internal investigation.â
People are spreading his information as far and wide as they can to shame him for his actions.
The video has been shared all over social media and people have reacted with shock and anger. Other activists are pointing out that the use of a car to ram protesters is becoming a more common thought and occurrence than in recent history.
Others are using the video as a moment to question what exactly is happening inside the detention centers they are protesting.
People have been trying to get people’s attention to the humanitarian crisis in the detention centers. There is a real concern that if guards can run their car through a group of lawful protesters, what are they doing to migrants in detention?
Activists captured video of an ICE guard using his pick-up truck to break through a group of protesters in Rhode Island.
Protesters were stationed outside of the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island. During the protest, a pick-up truck drives up the protesters and honks the horn before driving through the crowd of protesters. However, the truck was not the only time the protesters were assaulted during the protest.
During the incident, law enforcement at the scene used pepper spray on the protesters to break up the crowd.
âWe will not be deterred by the violence that was taken against us last night,â a spokesperson for Never Again Action told NBC News. âPeople are being harmed in ICE custody every day. This is exactly why we are doing what weâre doing.â
People are horrified at the blatant attack on peaceful protesters.
The video is a chilling reminder of the violence we have seen against protesters in recent times. Two years ago, the world watched in shock as a white supremacist ran his car into a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia during the Unite the Right rally. The attack claimed one life, Heather Heyer, in the name of hate. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured during the incident on Wednesday night.
Five people were hospitalized after the guard ran over protesters.
Two people were hospitalized because of the truck driving into the crowd and three people were hospitalized for the pepper spray. The whole incident has not deterred the organization from standing against ICE and its detention practices.
READ: More Than 100 Protesters Were Arrested In New York City For Blocking One Of The Busiest Streets In The City
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