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A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:03 pm
by K9s
The videos are more horrifying than the story seems. It seems like a foreign country, not the USA. Cops pepper sprayed the protesters that were not hit by the truck.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2 ... and-wyatt/

The protesters were sitting on the pavement to block staff from parking at a Rhode Island prison that works with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a black pickup truck swerved toward them. The protesters shouted as the driver laid on the horn, and the truck briefly stopped.

And then, the driver hit the gas.

In a viral video captured by bystanders, the protesters screamed and jumped out of the way. Several were struck, according to organizers of the Wednesday night demonstration at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, R.I.

The driver, protesters say, was a correctional officer employed by the privately run facility who was wearing a badge and a uniform — an assertion backed up by video of the incident. Police officers working at the protest did not intervene, Anthony said, and the driver eventually walked into the prison after other guards pepper-sprayed the protesters.

The confrontation took place during a wave of protests around the country by Jewish groups against ICE, including a demonstration that shut down part of Manhattan’s West Side Highway on Saturday, leading police to arrest nearly 100 protesters.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:11 pm
by senorgrand
Sounds like the 21st Century version of Pinkerton. Fucking bastards.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:33 pm
by K9s
It looked like any protest in Russia or China, actually. Frightening stuff.

It was nice to see the protesters cussing out those who pepper sprayed them.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:02 pm
by geno
senorgrand wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:11 pm Sounds like the 21st Century version of Pinkerton. Fucking bastards.
I agree.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:02 pm
by Marlene
welp, when you see that you can be attacked by paid goons and nobody will protect you, then your limited choices get real clear

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:06 pm
by K9s
Marlene wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:02 pm welp, when you see that you can be attacked by paid goons and nobody will protect you, then your limited choices get real clear
The cops didn't do anything about the driver (a guard at the ICE facility) running people down. They just pepper sprayed protesters afterward.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:19 pm
by featureless
Jesus would be so proud. Fuckers.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:36 pm
by Marlene
I’m sure we are jumping to conclusions and the cops’ side of the story would explain everything.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:25 am
by senorgrand
I hate fascists, especially the goon-for-hire variety.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:25 am
by K9s
Marlene wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:36 pm I’m sure we are jumping to conclusions and the cops’ side of the story would explain everything.
Of course, how silly of me to jump to conclusions after watching it on multiple videos.

It turns out, though, that the state of Rhode Island isn't a red state. They might even investigate the wretched treatment of these protesters. I wonder how this would have turned out in a red state with non-white protesters?

In Texas, ICE says: “Political rhetoric and misinformation that various politicians, media outlets and activist groups recklessly disseminate to the American people regarding the ICE mission only serve to further encourage these violent acts." Do they realize that this describes Fox, Breitbart, and the GOP?

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:32 am
by senorgrand
Don't count on it. Antiwar protesters were ruthlessly peppersprayed in Davis California, one of the most liberal cities in one of the most liberal states. Other than the massive civil suit, not much happened.

People in power have very little incentive to police the police who are charged with keeping the unwashed at bay.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:36 am
by rockhound
K9s wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:06 pm
Marlene wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:02 pm welp, when you see that you can be attacked by paid goons and nobody will protect you, then your limited choices get real clear
The cops didn't do anything about the driver (a guard at the ICE facility) running people down. They just pepper sprayed protesters afterward.
Did you get that from a different article or did I miss something in the article that you linked?

(edited to clarify, I see that the cops did nothing but I'm not seeing where they pepper sprayed the protesters)

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:07 pm
by K9s
That was from a different article in which they blame the media, politicians, etc for portraying ICE in a negative way in Texas. I thought it would be interesting to juxtapose that with this situation.

First article I read after it happened said protesters claimed cops pepper sprayed them. Later edition stated it was actually ICE guards. It was dark, and they probably thought the uniformed guards were police, but the police reportedly let it all happen.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:11 pm
by rockhound
Thanks. Other than not running over the protesters or pepper spraying the protesters themselves, it's hard to see what the police didn't fuck up in this incident.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 5:01 pm
by Marlene
They didn’t fuck anything up. What they did is what their job is.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 5:09 pm
by senorgrand
Well, I'd say they did what they too often do, but yeah.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:07 am
by K9s
Lou Dobbs: Guard who drove into ICE protesters was ‘within his rights’

https://beta.washingtonpost.com/arts-en ... is-rights/

Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs said on air Thursday that a guard was acting “within his rights” when he allegedly drove through ICE protesters blocking the entrance to a Rhode Island detention center’s parking lot.

Dobbs, whose opinions President Trump frequently echoes, said the demonstrators were “harassing” the workers of Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, R.I., on Wednesday and speculated that they may have committed assault by trying to stop the truck. The facility is a private prison with which the Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts to house immigration detainees.

“I know that it must just gladden your heart to see a bunch of demonstrators at a Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility blocking the path of a guard and then complaining about the fact that he sought to do what is within his rights, which is to proceed to park his vehicle and go to work,” Dobbs told former acting ICE director Tom Homan on “Lou Dobbs Tonight."

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 1:35 am
by Bisbee
Really, in any other situation where human beings were standing in front of a car/truck that stopped but then continued to plow ahead into bodies, the asshat driver would be charged with willful assault w deadly weapon.

But this is quickly becoming the Fascist States of America so we’ll see if there is any evidence unlicensed outcry for justice.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 4:35 pm
by TrueTexan
Well he has quit his job there.
A Rhode Island detention center corrections officer who plowed his truck into a line of protesters demonstrating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, injuring several, quit his job on Friday.

In a statement obtained by local NBC affiliate WJAR-TV, the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls announced that Capt. Thomas Woodworth had resigned following the Wednesday incident, which “remains under active investigation by the Rhode Island State Police and under internal investigation by the Wyatt.”

Woodworth had been placed on administrative leave following the incident, the Providence Journal reported.

Footage of the confrontation shows demonstrators from Never Again Action, a Jewish activist group, sitting outside the facility, blocking the entrance to the parking lot. Woodworth then approaches in his pickup truck, blaring the horn and swerving into the crowd as protesters bang their hands against his hood in an apparent attempt to stop him.

In a statement, Never Again Action said four people were hospitalized, and protesters were pepper sprayed by other corrections officers who rushed out of the facility and jumped into the fray.

Though the organization said it was glad to learn that Woodworth had stepped down, it called for criminal charges against him and accountability for the other Wyatt employees allegedly involved.

“If these officers felt empowered to attack a group of protesters in front of the public and the media, imagine what kind of violence must be taking place inside the prison, out of sight, against vulnerable immigrants and people of color,” the group said.

On Thursday, the Rhode Island attorney general’s office released a statement announcing that it is working with state police to investigate the matter.

“Once we have a full understanding of the relevant facts, we will determine how to proceed,” it said. “Peaceful protest is a fundamental right of all Americans; it is unfortunate last night’s situation unfolded as it did. We urge all to exercise restraint as our investigation proceeds.”
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rhode-i ... 875f248141

He possibly thinks all is okay since he quit.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:33 pm
by K9s
I guess, since Lou Dobbs is delighted with the idea of running down protesters (terrorism?), the guy will get a pardon from the WH.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:13 am
by JohnNewell
K9s wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:06 pm
Marlene wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:02 pm welp, when you see that you can be attacked by paid goons and nobody will protect you, then your limited choices get real clear
The cops didn't do anything about the driver (a guard at the ICE facility) running people down. They just pepper sprayed protesters afterward.


The "guard" was a Captain in their system. Here in Texas that would be the 2nd highest ranked uniformed officer and would report to Wardens and Assistant Wardens.

Anyway, he reportedly immediately resigned. If that is an accurate report then he probably kissed quite a bit of accumulated leave and comp time Good Bye.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:32 am
by K9s
JohnNewell wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:13 am
K9s wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:06 pm
Marlene wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:02 pm welp, when you see that you can be attacked by paid goons and nobody will protect you, then your limited choices get real clear
The cops didn't do anything about the driver (a guard at the ICE facility) running people down. They just pepper sprayed protesters afterward.


The "guard" was a Captain in their system. Here in Texas that would be the 2nd highest ranked uniformed officer and would report to Wardens and Assistant Wardens.

Anyway, he reportedly immediately resigned. If that is an accurate report then he probably kissed quite a bit of accumulated leave and comp time Good Bye.
You'd think he would have considered all he had to lose. Unbelievably dumb move.

Re: A truck drove into ICE protesters outside a private prison

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:46 am
by JohnNewell
Agreed totally. One really dumb public move and you are out. But hey ... a Captain (or a lowly CO for that matter) shouldn't be making dumb and dangerous moves.