A coalition of environmental activists and Native Americans protested outside the Florida Everglades against the construction of an immigration detention center, referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Hundreds gathered along Highway 41, expressing concerns for the environment and ancestral lands. The project, fast-tracked under an executive order from Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to create 5,000 immigrant detention beds using temporary structures like tents and trailers.
Protesters included local ecologists and Native American leaders, who argued that the facility threatens the sacred lands and ecosystems of the Big Cypress National Reserve, home to traditional villages and burial sites. Critics highlight the potential environmental damage and human rights issues associated with the detention conditions.
Environmental groups, including the Center for Biodiversity, have filed a lawsuit to halt the project until a comprehensive environmental review is conducted. They emphasize that construction could irreversibly harm the interconnected wetland system, which is vital for tourism and wildlife. DeSantis’s administration has dismissed these concerns, framing the detention facility as necessary for immigration enforcement.
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