Florida Everglades Protest: Activists Rally Against ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ on Highway

Hundreds of people gathered recently outside an airstrip in the Florida Everglades to protest a new immigrant detention center. The scene was lively, with signs urging protection for the area’s unique environment and endangered species. Passersby showed their support by honking as trucks brought in construction materials.

Christopher McVoy, an ecologist and South Florida city commissioner, joined the protest. He was concerned about environmental damage and shared that local communities are worried about immigration policies. “People I know are in tears,” he said, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation.

Florida officials have been pushing ahead with plans for what some are calling “Alligator Alcatraz.” This construction has sped up under an emergency order from Governor Ron DeSantis, who views it as essential to combat illegal immigration. This order allows the state to bypass certain laws, which has frustrated local leaders like Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

The center will primarily use temporary tents and trailers, with an expected capacity of 5,000 detention beds by July. Native American leaders see this construction as an invasion of their sacred spaces, particularly in Big Cypress National Preserve, where many traditional villages and sites are located.

Concerns also extend to human rights. Critics argue that housing immigrants in such conditions is inhumane. Environmental advocacy groups, like the Center for Biological Diversity, have filed lawsuits to stop the center, emphasizing the Everglades’ fragile ecosystem.

Eve Samples, director of Friends of the Everglades, noted, “The Everglades is a vast, interconnected system, and disruption in one area can harm others.” Her organization is calling for a thorough environmental review before construction continues.

A spokesperson for DeSantis claimed the facility is necessary for handling mass deportations and asserted it won’t harm the surrounding environment. Meanwhile, environmental group leaders argue that hasty construction could make it harder for the courts to intervene later.

This rising conflict shows the tensions between immigration policies, environmental protection, and community heritage in Florida. As protests grow, more voices are rallying for the future of the Everglades and the people affected by these decisions.

To learn more about the potential impacts of this construction on the environment, check out the Center for Biological Diversity’s findings here.

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