Community opposition is rising against plans to build a new ICE detention facility at Camp Blanding. Yesterday, advocates and members of the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance assembled outside the federal courthouse to express their objections. The crowd chanted "Immigrants are welcome here," reflecting concerns that the facility could conflict with the community's values and efforts to support immigrant integration. According to First Coast News, rally participant Rev. Madison Hilt referenced Camp Blanding's history as a site where thousands of naturalized U.S. citizens were detained during World War II.
State Rep. Angie Nixon, alongside four other lawmakers, has taken legal action after being barred from inspecting an existing detention facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. "At the end of the day, accountability and transparency should not be scheduled," Nixon declared, in a statement captured by First Coast News. A visit to the site is set for today, though DeSantis' office dismissed the lawsuit as unmerited.
Similarly, Action News JAX reports that construction of the facility, initially scheduled to begin this week, has been delayed. Activists gathered in protest, aiming to stop the project from moving forward. The community’s opposition stems from concerns that the proposed facility does not align with the city’s inclusive character.
Opposition to the facility has been visible in public demonstrations throughout Jacksonville. Addressing concerns about resource allocation, State Representative Angie Nixon spoke to a crowd gathered outside the Duval County Courthouse, expressing concern shared by those in attendance. "We can't have this in our town, and since it’s here, we will fight it here. We will not stop," Dan Lipp, a volunteer with the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, told News4Jax. The projected detention center is poised to hold around 2,000 detainees but faces staunch opposition from various community sectors advocating for different community needs.
As the discussion surrounding the proposed detention center continues, a rally is scheduled for July 19 at Camp Blanding. Community members and advocacy groups plan to attend, calling for transparency and expressing opposition to the facility’s construction.
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