A local advocacy group and residents in Winfield on Saturday, January 31, protested fatal shootings in Minneapolis, Minn., that occurred during public gatherings against a federal immigration crackdown in the city.
The protesters also urged the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office to reconsider its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Despite snow covering the sidewalks at Memorial Park, about 70 people attended the demonstration, which ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cowley County Democratic Party Chair Kerry McIntyre said they were concerned about national immigration enforcement and the local agreement that allows the Cowley County Jail to hold someone for up to 48 hours so federal agents can assume custody, even if the person would otherwise be released.
Speakers and signs referenced recent fatal encounters involving federal immigration officers, including the killing of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis ICU nurse who was shot by Border Patrol officers, and Renee Good, a mother of three who was fatally shot in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers. Protesters also cited the death of Keith Porter Jr., who was fatally shot on New Year’s Eve in Northridge by an off-duty ICE agent.
Siobhan McIntyre, a candidate for Kansas House District 79, said the demonstration was a “No ICE” protest.
Asked whether ICE makes communities feel safer, protester Amanda Mead said it makes them feel “less safe,” adding, “especially because they are just killing people at random.”
Several participants used signs to communicate their concerns. One of the signs read, “Cancel Contract With ICE. Why Would Our Sheriff Work With An Organization That Murders Our Citizens?”
Another attendee stood in front of the Winfield Police Department holding a sign printed with language from the Declaration of Independence, citing the document in support of calls for civil liberties and accountability.
Another sign read, “Without due process, it’s kidnapping,” reflecting concerns that ICE detainers can result in people being held without sufficient procedural protections.
Mead said she wanted residents who did not attend to understand that demonstrators were not there to cause harm, but to show unity.
“The people that are out here are usually very kind, and the people that are protesting don’t want to cause destruction,” Mead said. “They are wanting tofix things as well as bring the community together.”
David Falletti said he was aware of the petition and the planned protest and supported residents’ right to assemble “as long as it is a peaceful assembly,” according to reporting by Rebecca McCutcheon.
A petition opposing the detainer agreement is also being circulated, and organizers said they plan to present it to the sheriff soon. According to McCutcheon’s reporting, organizers said last week the petition had more than 200 signatures.