Photo: Never Again Action/Twitter
Multiple people protesting theTrumpadministration’simmigration policieswere injured when a truck drove into them as they blocked access to a Rhode Island detention facility, according to the group that organized the protest.
The organization — the Jewish activist groupNever Again Action— said they believe the driver was a corrections officer at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention facility in Central Falls.
While some protesters screamed in panic, others chanted, “The whole world is watching,” and “Shame!”
“We have confirmed that the person driving the truck is a correctional officer who works for the detention facility,”Amy Anthony, one of the protest’s organizers, toldNewsweek.“The driver was in his uniform when he hit the protestors. His rank and name were embroidered on his shirt and he was wearing a badge at the time.”
As many as 100 to 150 people witnessed the incident, Anthony said. Multiple videos have been uploaded to social media.
Never Again Action, which has protested the Trump administration’s separation of refugee families and called for the abolition of ICE, shared a video of the incident and its aftermath on Twitter.
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Anthony toldNewsweekboth state and local police were on the scene but “did not do anything. They did not talk to the driver, they did not try to apprehend him. Many protesters were trying to give the police statements and they refused to take our statements.”
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronhaissued a statementsaying his office is investigating the incident with the state police.
“Once we have a full understanding of the relevant facts, we will determine how to proceed,” the statement says. “Peaceful protest is a fundamental right of all Americans; it is unfortunate last night’s situation unfolded as it did. We urge all to exercise restraint as our investigation proceeds.”
PEOPLE’s calls to Central Falls Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility and ICE were not immediately returned Thursday.
source: people.com
