UPDATE ON THE CLOSURE OF “ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ”

The cruelly named “Alligator Alcatraz” is now officially shut down thanks to the relentless action of thousands of people who refused to stand idly by. 

In response, Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice at the Workers Circle (a partner of LWVSPA in witness and organizing against detention without due process), said: “Alligator Alcatraz is a failed experiment in cruelty by the Trump and DeSantis administrations. For their own political ends, they tried to convince Americans to hate and fear immigrants and tolerate or justify brutality toward them. They failed. They failed here and will continue to fail across the nation because ordinary people said ‘No! This is not who we are. This is not the America we will become.’ Together we stood as immigrants and citizens alike, reflecting the strength of America, a belief in our Constitution, and the commitment to go the distance, shoulder-to-shoulder for freedom and justice.” 

By and large, those detained have not been released, but simply transferred to other detention camps. That said, the work continues, but this is wind in the sails of the movement. LWVSPA and allies continue holding vigil Pinellas County Justice Center every Sunday from 5–6 p.m., in solidarity with vigils supported by the Workers Circle and allies across the state and nation. See details on upcoming vigils