"We asked to speak with him," said the man's lawyer. "That was denied, apparently by ICE. My only concern is that he be granted his right to due process."
ICE DETAINS AND TASES RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY MEMBER, DENIES LEGAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL – PROTEST FORMS OUTSIDE RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
TODAY (THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH) AT 4:00PM
RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL ANDERSON EMERGENCY CENTER
Today at 11:08AM, the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Coalition received a call reporting that a community member was being detained by ICE agents and the Providence Police in unmarked cars at his home in Providence.
Agents assaulted and tased the man so badly that he had to be taken to Rhode Island Hospital. The Deportation Defense Coalition immediately dispatched community verifiers and then alerted the public. Within minutes, a crowd had formed outside the Anderson Emergency Center.
ICE, the Providence Police, and the Rhode Island Hospital administration blocked the community member’s lawyers from being able to speak with him, a clear denial of his constitutional rights.
Dozens of protesters rallied and chanted outside the hospital for more than three hours, chanting “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation!” Unmarked vans being driven by officers from the Wyatt Detention center waited outside the hospital, apparently to take the community member as soon as he was discharged.
Kate Hao of the Deportation Defense Coalition stated, “This is a shameful example of ICE not only trying to circumvent legal and constitutional protections in their war against immigrants, but ignoring the will of the people. Because of the protest and community members who called in to DHS Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE was forced to smuggle our community member out of the hospital through a side entrance.
“We urge everyone across Rhode Island to march with us against deportations this coming Sunday, April 27th, at 12PM at the Federal Building in Providence.
“Now is the time for us to show ICE that we are stronger together, and that if we continue to resist, we can stop this racist wave of deportations.”
PROVIDENCE, RI — Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos today offered the following statement:
“My office and I are closely monitoring reports that ICE agents may be refusing a Rhode Islander their right to due process by preventing them from speaking with their lawyer.
We are still learning all of the facts involved in today’s events, and I cannot speak with certainty about every detail of this incident. However, there are no circumstances under which we can tolerate the erosion of the Constitution. If this man is being prevented from speaking with his attorney, then I call on ICE to immediately to allow him access to counsel.
The rights enshrined in our Constitution, especially the right to due process, are our only safeguard against authoritarianism. If we do not immediately and vocally protect the first people to be stripped of those rights, then eventually all people will be stripped of those rights.”
ICE is a criminal organization being run by by the Trump crime family. Close it down. A nation built by immigrants ought to know better, but the racists are running the asylum.
ICE DETAINS AND TASES RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY MEMBER, DENIES LEGAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL – PROTEST FORMS OUTSIDE RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
TODAY (THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH) AT 4:00PM
RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL ANDERSON EMERGENCY CENTER
Today at 11:08AM, the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Coalition received a call reporting that a community member was being detained by ICE agents and the Providence Police in unmarked cars at his home in Providence.
Agents assaulted and tased the man so badly that he had to be taken to Rhode Island Hospital. The Deportation Defense Coalition immediately dispatched community verifiers and then alerted the public. Within minutes, a crowd had formed outside the Anderson Emergency Center.
ICE, the Providence Police, and the Rhode Island Hospital administration blocked the community member’s lawyers from being able to speak with him, a clear denial of his constitutional rights.
Dozens of protesters rallied and chanted outside the hospital for more than three hours, chanting “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation!” Unmarked vans being driven by officers from the Wyatt Detention center waited outside the hospital, apparently to take the community member as soon as he was discharged.
Kate Hao of the Deportation Defense Coalition stated, “This is a shameful example of ICE not only trying to circumvent legal and constitutional protections in their war against immigrants, but ignoring the will of the people. Because of the protest and community members who called in to DHS Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE was forced to smuggle our community member out of the hospital through a side entrance.
“We urge everyone across Rhode Island to march with us against deportations this coming Sunday, April 27th, at 12PM at the Federal Building in Providence.
“Now is the time for us to show ICE that we are stronger together, and that if we continue to resist, we can stop this racist wave of deportations.”
Statement from Lt. Governor Sabina Matos
PROVIDENCE, RI — Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos today offered the following statement:
“My office and I are closely monitoring reports that ICE agents may be refusing a Rhode Islander their right to due process by preventing them from speaking with their lawyer.
We are still learning all of the facts involved in today’s events, and I cannot speak with certainty about every detail of this incident. However, there are no circumstances under which we can tolerate the erosion of the Constitution. If this man is being prevented from speaking with his attorney, then I call on ICE to immediately to allow him access to counsel.
The rights enshrined in our Constitution, especially the right to due process, are our only safeguard against authoritarianism. If we do not immediately and vocally protect the first people to be stripped of those rights, then eventually all people will be stripped of those rights.”
I’m impressed by the rapid mobilization of so many community members! Bravo!! Brava!!
ICE is a criminal organization being run by by the Trump crime family. Close it down. A nation built by immigrants ought to know better, but the racists are running the asylum.