At least one protester was reportedly maced outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Stockton this weekend, where dozens of immigrants were said to be detained after reporting for unusual weekend check-ins.
A convoy of white vans, trucks and unmarked vehicles exited the facility at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, protesters lined the fence around the building shouting to officials. Approximately 14 people were loaded into vans, according to eyewitness accounts.
It’s unclear where those in the vans were being transported, or why some people were detained and others weren’t following the check-ins.
Outside the facility, activists at times attempted to block the center’s driveway and threw trash cans at vehicles leaving. Stockton police eventually intervened.
Approximately 50 immigrants reported for check-ins to the center earlier that day and roughly 24 were detained, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Attempts by Stocktonia to contact ICE’s Stockton office Sunday afternoon were unsuccessful.
Activists protesting at the center heckled the ICE agents through the facility’s fence and then at vehicles leaving the facility as they passed by demonstrators, accusing them of separating families, among other profane jeers.
“But how can you sit there and separate mothers from their f—ing kids, when you guys are f—ing — raise your f—ing kids on their land,” an activist said through a bullhorn.
They also described the detainments to Stocktonia as unusual, as the facility typically only operates Monday through Friday. Stockton’s ICE field office also reportedly cannot jail people overnight.
Edward Villa, who happened to be in the neighborhood, had approached the protest to see what was going on.
“It’s a shame that the illegals, which are good people too, hardworking people, they can’t be out here protesting,” Villa told Stocktonia. “So, it’s one-sided. It’s kind of a shame because you have the loud-mouths going on the bullhorn, and it’s not going to get anything done in my eyes.”
When vehicles began leaving the ICE Office just after sundown, protesters moved to the driveway of the facility and blocked vehicles from exiting. Two Stockton Police officers stepped in and asked protesters to clear the area.
One individual placed themselves in front of a van and put their hands on the hood, but returned to their wheelchair as police told them to move. No arrests were made.
Eyewitnesses said one protester was maced by an individual from the convoy. Multiple people aided in flushing their eyes with water. Protesters said it was ICE agents who sprayed the protester, though Stocktonia could not independently verify how or by whom the incident occurred.
Stockton Police told Stocktonia they had no information on the potential macing.
“At approximately 3pm Stockton Pd was made aware of several individuals were demonstrating in the 600 block of San Juan (Avenue),” police officials told Stocktonia in a statement via text message at about 7:20 p.m. Saturday. “SPD monitored and no issues were reported as of this writing.”
This is a developing story.
Want more? Sign up to get Stocktonia delivered to your inbox three days a week.