DeSantis mentioned he is contemplating the establishment of a facility at a Florida National Guard training center named Camp Blanding, situated around 30 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — On Saturday afternoon, hundreds rallied to oppose Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposal to construct a second immigration detention center in Florida.
Last month, DeSantis revealed his consideration of setting up a facility at Camp Blanding, a training center for the Florida National Guard located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Jacksonville in northeast Florida. This would be in addition to another location currently being built on a remote airstrip in the Everglades, referred to by state officials as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
However, on Wednesday, the governor noted that he wants to avoid establishing a new detention facility at Camp Blanding — for now — to avoid it being partially filled.
“What I don’t wanna do is set up [Camp] Blanding if you know, one is 60% full, and then the other is 40%. I’d rather just channel everyone to Alligator [Alcatraz] since it’s easier,” DeSantis said.
Saturday’s protest at Camp Blanding was organized by the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA), joined by hundreds of supporters who held up signs criticizing the detention facility and recent immigration-related policies and tactics.
“For the majority of this country not only wakes up and becomes aware but feels incentivized to take action and shape the world we live in and make it one where all of us are neighbors and all of us take care of one another,” said JIRA Organizer Jonathan Gonzalo Kleinick when asked what an ideal outcome of the protest would be.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said in a Facebook post she estimated 700 people attended the protest.
Some people were seen holding up signs reading, “ICE = racism in a uniform,” “We need FEMA not death camps,” “No to deportations” and “Ron DeSantis, we are watching!”
Similar demonstrations have taken place in recent months, where protestors called the proposal inhumane and warned it could repeat the mistakes of the past.
“The danger extends beyond immigrants. Trump ally Laura Loomer recently joked that Florida’s alligators would get “65 million meals” – a reference to the total U.S. Latino population,” the JIRA wrote in a statement.
“When they use the number of all Latinos in the US in the same sentence as ‘meals’ for alligators, they’re telling all 65 million of us we’re targets for detainment and worse.” Maria Garcia, a JIRA organizer, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, state officials have previously insisted that the new facility is necessary for public safety and that detainees’ rights will be protected.
PHOTOS: Protests take place at Camp Blanding
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
