Local
Watonga church groups rally in solidarity with people held at ICE facility
Dozens of demonstrators gathered Saturday outside the Diamondback Correctional Center as part of the nationwide “No Kings - Vote Early” march. They protested what they described as dehumanizing conditions for people detained at the facility and called for solidarity with them.
WATONGA, Okla. — Dozens of demonstrators, including people from several local churches, gathered outside the Diamondback Correctional Center on Saturday to protest alleged conditions inside the ICE detention facility and show support for those held there.
The gathering was part of the nationwide “No Kings - Vote Early” march ahead of the midterm elections. Protesters stood together with signs reading “Tu lucha es nuestra lucha,” or “Your struggle is our struggle.”
Demonstrators said they chose the Watonga facility because they believe people detained there face dehumanizing conditions. The event’s organizer said she heard people inside knocking and shouting after they saw the group outside.
The demonstration joined an election-season march with a message focused on detainees’ treatment and the community’s connection to them.