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Article by Olivia Lupia, Tennessee Conservative News –
For several months now, a group of protestors has constantly waited outside the Wilson Air Center adjacent to the Memphis International Airport, tracking flights transporting ICE detainees and pressuring the private air terminal to stop cooperating with the federal immigration agency.
Calling themselves the “Bird Watchers”, the small group of “mostly retired” Memphians has been gathering in the early mornings since Spring to hold “end ICE flights” protests, waiting for a bus carrying illegal aliens detained by ICE who are being transported to another facility, oftentimes a last stop before deportation.
Having figured out the bus’s typical arrival schedule, the protesters try to gather before the vehicles roll up to the Wilson Air Center gate then wave their signs, many of which are in Spanish, and show support for the illegal aliens as the transport plane is loaded.
They also take pictures when they can of the aliens being taken off the bus and put on the plane, saying they’re documenting the “harsh conditions” in which detainees are moved, including the manacles on both hands and feet of the illegals.
But now they are complaining their view is being blocked as the buses have started to be placed in a way that partially shields the proceedings.
“They’ve gone to greater and greater lengths to hide what they’re doing. Which is interesting behavior for people to say they’re doing nothing wrong. We can usually see chains eventually on their feet at least as they walk by the bus. So it’s pretty unmistakable who they are,” criticized one group member.
This group of protesters is part of a national End ICE Flights group that has tracked at least 75 flights since April.
Group members have also spent a considerable amount of time tracking how many detainees leave the ICE West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason and are brought to the air center, so they know exactly who will be on each bus that arrives when flights are scheduled.
One member conducts a daily search of the Core Civic website to see who’s been arrested, saying she doesn’t get them all, “but I try really hard. I have a database of over 5,000 people that have been there in a year. It’s a tedious thing. It usually takes me about three of four hours every single morning.”
The Bird Watchers also say they are putting pressure on Wilson Air to stop allowing ICE to use their facilities, and other pro-immigrant groups in the area, like Vecindarios 901, have joined the call demanding the company drop the ICE flights.
In a statement, Vecindarios 901 said Memphians are joining “a nationwide movement against ICE flights operating in our communities, and against the companies secretly servicing and profiting off the inhumane systems hurting our people.”
Blake Burr, a co-founder of Vecindarios 901 and a Bird Watcher, added, “People around the country are sending them emails, asking them to make the same move that other companies around the country are being asked to make.”
Wilson Air has not been moved by the protests thus far, with one Bird Watcher saying that in a conversation with company representatives they referred to the air center’s operations with ICE as a “business proposition” and her protestations about the operations and treatment of the detainees were refuted.
But the Bird Watchers say they will continue to ramp up pressure on Wilson Air as the flights continue.
“And we’re just gonna keep on keeping on because that’s what you do. You don’t give up,” a member declared.
Sources:
WREG.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
Where is local law enforcement to stop these terrorists? Where is TBI?
Anyone aiding and abetting illegals in any way are detriments to our Republic.