Over the weekend, people of all ages and ethnicities came out to the GEO Detention Facility next to Sand Creek in Aurora for the Free Them All rally and marketplace.
Authentic foods, handmade jewelry, and live music filled the grassy patch next to the detention center on Saturday, July 18. The rally and marketplace was held as a way to show support to the campers of Abolish Ice who have been protesting outside the facility for months.
The Free Them All rally had emotionally charged performances by Los Mocochetes, Lostboi and others. “Chinga la migra,” screamed the ABOLISH ICE protesters as they danced in the 100 degree heat. Protesters equipped to provide first-aid walked around and handed out ice bangs to keep people cool. The Chicano funk band Los Mocochetes began the rally with their songs such as “Que Viva Revolución,” and “Tacos.” Jozer Guerrero poet and lead vocalist for Los Mocochetes said, “We hope to bring justice for concentration camps like this one with our music.”
In the last few months two COVID-19 cases were confirmed at the Aurora facility according to Jason Crow’s report. The report does not include the numbers of detention employers that tested positive for the virus. Members of Abolish Ice report some detainees are deported before they receive their test results back. ICE employees have been deporting individuals before they are able to see a judge and defend their citizenship.
One of the campers, Kesha Davalos, has been outside the detention center for 60 days. Her husband is inside the facility and she is there with her mother and daughter. “I would like to ask my husband how his day is, but I can’t do that,” says Davalos. “It’s a shame my daughter cries because she misses her daddy every night.”
Davalos’ husband Pablo was transferred from the Aurora detention center to Teller County on July 11. She is still camped at the Aurora detention facility with her family. Every night at 8 p.m., Abolish Ice holds a vigil for those who are still trapped in the ICE detention center.
