After two people were detained by ICE from Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park Activity Center parking lot, Gaithersburg residents are calling on city officials to do more. Residents say they have not gotten any meaningful communication on the city’s policy when it comes to ICE.
A mother of three was detained on July 28. Her eldest child spoke out at a rally Friday at Gaithersburg’s concert pavilion, adjacent to City Hall and the Gaithersburg Police Department.
“My family has been ripped apart by ICE,” said Lucia, a student at Gaithersburg High School. Her mother and aunt were both detained that day.
“The city allowing for ICE to roam around freely is disgusting,” she said. “Them trying to ignore the outrage and pretend that nothing happened is extremely disturbing.”
Protesters want the city to speak up and improve communications around ICE enforcement They want the city to adopt immigration laws similar to those at the county level. The County Values Act prohibits ICE activities in county-owned parking lots and garages. These Gaithersburg community members want that same policy held at the Gaithersburg City level.
View this post on Instagram
“It’s time to speak up about our city choosing to turn a blind eye to this situation,” Lucia said.
MCM has reached out for comment from Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, who is on MCM’s Board of Directors.
