A local advocacy group plans to protest Saturday in Winfield in response to recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis, Minn., that occurred during public gatherings against a federal immigration crackdown. Organizers also plan to urge the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office to reconsider its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The protest is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the west side of Memorial Park, across from the entrance to the sheriff’s office.
Organizers said the event will highlight national concerns about immigration enforcement and local concerns about an ICE detainer agreement signed by the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office. The detainer agreement, signed in March 2025, authorizes the Cowley County Jail to serve 48-hour civil detainers on behalf of ICE. That means the jail can hold someone for up to two additional days so federal agents have time to take custody, even if the person would otherwise be released.
Supporters of the petition against the agreement argue that working with immigration enforcement can increase fear in immigrant
communities and weaken trust between residents and local law enforcement.
A member of the Cowley County Democratic Party said it will be a “No ICE” protest. The member also said the party plans to host Ann Parekar after the protest. Parekar is running for U.S. Senate representing Kansas.
The Winfield protest comes as public gatherings intensified Friday in Minneapolis and other cities. Thousands of people flooded downtown Minneapolis in single-digit temperatures to protest the immigration crackdown, and protests also took place in other parts of the country, according to The New York Times.
The Justice Department announced Friday that it would conduct a civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse who was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.
“We are looking at everything that would shed light on what happened that day,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
Cowley County Sheriff David Falletti said he is aware of the petition and the planned protest and supports residents’ right to assemble.
“As long as it is a peaceful assembly, the Constitution allows it,” Falletti said, according to reporting by Rebecca McCutcheon.
Falletti also said the detainer agreement has not been implemented because employees have not yet received required training.
Organizers said Saturday’s gathering will focus on public awareness and encouraging residents to learn more about both the events in Minneapolis and how local cooperation with ICE could affect community trust in Cowley County.
