Protesters rally outside Indio CBP station after fatal ICE encounters
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Dozens of demonstrators gathered Friday morning outside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Indio, calling for immigration reform and greater accountability following two recent fatal encounters involving federal immigration agents.
The protest, organized by Comité Latino, Democrats of the Desert and several immigrant rights organizations, brought together community members from across the Coachella Valley. Participants waved American and Mexican flags, held signs and chanted in support of migrant communities.
“It’s really important to speak out and give a voice to the people that don’t have voices,” one demonstrator said.
Organizers said the demonstration was sparked by the July 7 fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, in Houston, and the July 13 fatal shooting of Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, 26, in Maine. The incidents have fueled protests nationwide and renewed calls for greater oversight of federal immigration enforcement.
Speakers at Friday’s rally accused federal immigration agencies of using excessive force during enforcement operations and called for changes.
“ICE is to handle immigration. It’s not to be used as a private force for intimidating communities, being reckless with firearms, killing people,” another protester said.
For many who attended, the demonstration was also about supporting family and neighbors living in fear.
“I personally know a lot of people who are afraid, affected,” one attendee said. “It’s scary and so we have to be here.”
Others said public demonstrations are necessary to pressure lawmakers to act.
“We need immigration reform. Being out here is for the pressure to do that,” another protester said. “We all know this is not going to take away anything, but getting the voice out and letting people know that we are not for what’s going on empowers other people to stand up and speak out.”
News Channel 3 reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for comment on the demonstration but had not received a response.
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