MARTINEZ, Calif. (KRON) -- Protesters gathered outside the Contra Costa County courthouse in Martinez Thursday, speaking out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The group claims that there has been an increased presence of ICE arrests in the county and that many of them have been happening in the parking lot next to the courthouse. The building is also home to the Martinez Detention Facility where inmates are often released from county jail.
“In Marinez, Contra Costa County, California and places around the country people are standing up and that’s the greatest act of democratic participation is us joining in,” said protester Albert Ponce.
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Stand Together Contra Costa is a rapid response group that formed to respond when there are reports of ICE arrests in Contra Costa County. Director Ali Saidi says several protests have been happening at the courthouse in Martinez in the last two weeks. His organization works to find out who was arrested, in an effort to provide free legal services.
“We are observing them, without interfering of course, to make sure they are following the law and so that we can track down any community members that are taken,” said Saidi.
Debra Ballinger is part of the organization Concord Immigrant Protections Network. She says the group gets Multiple calls a day of ICE arrests in Concord and hopes protests will help push county leaders to make changes that prevent ICE arrests near government buildings.
“We desperately need a non-cooperation ordinance and why our board of supervisors needs to know what’s happening,” said Ballinger.
Several protesters at the courthouse Thursday say they plan on attending the next Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
