About 50 people, including legal observers, immigration lawyers, protesters and politicians gathered outside of the Monterey County Jail’s sallyport gate on Tuesday, Oct. 27 where unmarked vehicles were parked, lining a gravel area. Some federal officers’ uniforms had “ICE” lettering, for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“ICE is not wanted here. ICE is here to intimidate,” says Chris Barrera, president of LULAC Council #2055.
The encounter grew heated toward the end as about 30 protesters drew closer to the federal officers’ vehicles, with some grabbing rocks and throwing them at the vehicles as they drove away toward Constitution Boulevard. The protest featured honking horns and chants of “Fuck ICE.”
According to Solidarity Network Monterey County Rapid Response, one person was detained by ICE while leaving a health clinic on the adjacent County of Monterey campus at about 4:30pm on Oct. 27.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy prohibiting County property from being used for civil immigration enforcement activity.
At 5:40pm on Oct. 27, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced the jail was on lockdown, meaning no inmates would be released.
“The Monterey County Jail is not accepting any new bookings, all inmate releases have been temporarily suspended, and the facility is closed to all public visitation, with the exception of attorneys visiting their clients,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Eventually, facing the pressure of the protesters on scene and the jail lockdown, ICE agents left the area at about 6:30pm on Tuesday night.