ICE Protest here in Wichita, KS

By SJ Otto

There has been an occupy movement, Occupy ICE ICT, here in Wichita against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (ICE) center at 555 N. Woodlawn, here in Wichita, KS. Protesters have had a presence at the ICE building at Woodlawn and Central all week. Yesterday about 93 people attended the rally, starting at the corner of Central and Woodlawn and meeting at the ICE building. The occupation began as a response to President Donald Trump's actions that led to separated families. 

"We are responding to questions and concerns," said Dennis Romero who MCed the rally. He, along with others present, want to know what the function of that building is. "We need to make transparency real."

" They are arresting people right here in Wichita," Romero said.

The group is demanding that the ICE facility be inspected by a select group of elected officials.

Of those officials, Democratic state Rep. Gail Finney and Democratic state Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau came to address the crowd. Missing was Ron Estes, our Republican 4rth district Representative who rarely goes to any event where he can address the people he supposedly represents.

"Where's Ron," the crowd chanted at one point.

Some at the rally did go into the building, as far as they were able to. There were no ICE workers present to explain anything to the protesters.