The Southern Illinois Immigrant Rights Project is holding a protest at the Pulaski County Jail this Saturday.
Member Michelle Peek said the protest is meant to speak out against the conditions in immigrant detention facilities. She said the group has had reports of poor nutrition, poor hygiene and a lack of social distancing in the facility.
“The main goal is to show the people being held that they’ve not been forgotten. That people still care and are still trying to advocate for their rights and freedoms,” Peek said.
The group is also demanding the facility be inspected by the health department to make sure they are complying with procedures meant to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. They also want as many people as possible to be released, with alternative monitoring methods if necessary, due to concerns about COVID-19. The group also wants released detainees to be quarantined at the expense of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The protest will take place from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday. The organizers strongly recommend that attendees wear masks.
