Activists also vandalize ‘Blue Lives Matter’ flag during protests in Colorado
Anti-ICE protesters in Colorado have caused outrage after they tore down and desecrated an American flag being flown outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility before replacing it with the flag of Mexico.
Protesters also took down a “Blue Lives Matter” flag, honoring law enforcement, before vandalizing it with spray-paint saying “Abolish ICE,” then raising the flag upside-down on a pole alongside the Mexican flag, according to local media reports.
Authorities eventually restored the American flag to its place Friday evening after the crowds of protesters demonstrating outside the US ICE facility dispersed.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the federal facility that holds illegal immigrants in Aurora, Colo., to protest Sunday’s ICE raids in Denver and other major cities across the United States, FOX 31 Denver reported.
According to Fox News, Aurora police Chief Nick Metz said the majority of protesters remained peaceful and some even thanked officers for their evening efforts.
The protest, part of a network of #LightsForLiberty events, also dubbed the “March to Close Concentration Camps.”
Protesters are calling for detention centers at the U.S.-Mexico border to be closed and for all immigrants being held in those locations to be granted entry to the U.S., according to the event’s Facebook page.
Protestors on @ICEgov property just pulled down the American flag and replaced it with the Mexican flag. The group by the doors is growing. Though most protestors are still on the street. pic.twitter.com/X2waaFMEOW
— Matt Mauro (@mattmauronews) July 13, 2019
The American flag flies once again outside Aurora ICE facility. #LightsforLiberty pic.twitter.com/VvG85odmKF
— Jaclyn Allen (@jaclynreporting) July 13, 2019
Tonight we witnessed the best of Aurora (Police & Community) during the peaceful #LightsForLiberty demonstration. Thank you to everyone who remained peaceful & took the time to thank my cops…& thank you to all the officers who were there to ensure everyones safety. @AuroraPD pic.twitter.com/UzkF8nQDfJ
— Chief Nick Metz (@APDChiefMetz) July 13, 2019
Beginning Sunday, ICE agents will reportedly work to round up thousands of illegal immigrants across the U.S.
President Trump delayed the operation by two weeks to allow Dems to propose a bipartisan solution to the humanitarian crisis at the border.
Speaking to Fox News during his visit to the border Friday, Vice President Mike Pence said the upcoming ICE raids will not be done at random and will be focused on “removing those deported by courts.”
Besides Denver, the raids were expected to take place in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco.
Raids scheduled for New Orleans may be delayed due to Tropical Storm Barry, KCNC reported.
Other #LightsForLiberty protests took place across the U.S. Friday, including in San Ysidro, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; and New York City.