News4 cameras were rolling Tuesday morning as federal agents detained a man in the Chirilagua community of Alexandria, Virginia, a day after they detained a group of construction workers in the neighborhood.
Several unmarked SUVs pulled up on Florence Drive before a group of six agents in tactical gear got out, pinned the man to the ground and handcuffed him. At least one agent’s vest said Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE.
“We just saw someone thrown to the ground, being handcuffed and was yelling, ‘Please tell my wife! Please call my wife!” said Ingris Moran, who witnessed the agents detain the man and take him away. Moran is with Tenants and Workers United, a grassroots organization that helps low-income families of color.
Agents detained the man near the Eaton Square at Arlington Ridge apartment complex, the same place where a group of construction workers were detained on Monday.
Moran said agents took more people into their custody at a bus stop Tuesday morning.
“Around 9 in the morning, at the West Glebe bus stop, two people taken at the bus stop,” she said.
Video from a News4 viewer appears to show three agents in vests handcuffing someone near that bus stop.
“[It’s] very likely that they’re still in community, still in the neighborhood just driving around because the same people who took the two people at the bus stop are the same officers that took this gentleman,” Moran said.
Mary Reuter came to the neighborhood Tuesday to show support for the community where she used to teach English. She pushed her young daughter’s stroller along the sidewalk while carrying a sign that read, ” ICE is Evil. Abolish ICE.”
“I just can’t do nothing. I just don’t want people to think that everyone is apathetic and doesn’t care. I don’t know what to do, but I at least want to be here if I can do something,” she said.
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins told News4 she has been in the community all day Tuesday responding to alerts from residents.
Tenants and Workers United warned residents to stay indoors and make sure they know their rights before interacting with ICE agents.
News4 reached out to ICE several times Tuesday, but has not heard back.
The Alexandria Police Department said in a statement it does not participate in federal immigration enforcement and it is not made aware of federal immigration activity.
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said in a letter to families that ICE agents have not come to any of the district’s schools.
News4 reached out to ICE several times Tuesday, but has not heard back.
News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/CuKnmFL
0 Comments