Peaceful protest at council meetings assures city council of resident’s opinion
By: Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
HUTCHINS – The city of Hutchins has seen several protests this week due to the possibility of a 1-million-square-foot warehouse being converted to an ICE detention center there.
The story was released a few weeks ago by the Washington Post and since that time the possibility of the detention center in Hutchins has gained momentum.
Before Monday night’s city council meeting in Hutchins the Hutchins Police Department posted on Facebook “It has been brought to our attention that a peaceful protest will take place in Hutchins this evening at City Hall. While we support the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and protest, we ask that all participants do so peacefully and in accordance with state law. The Hutchins Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and rights of all individuals. Protesters are reminded not to obstruct highways, streets, sidewalks, railways, aisles, hallways, or entrances and exits to public buildings or areas accessible to the public.”
On Wednesday, Texas State Rep. Aicha Davis, District 109 organized a press conference in front of Hutchins City Hall one hour before a Special City Council meeting was held to discuss the empty warehouse located at 950 N. IH-45 in Hutchins.
As many as 200 were at the press conference, many arrived after it concluded. Only about 50 were in the council chambers after council returned from executive session.
Council.
Davis’ release stated, “Federal reports indicate ICE has purchased the PointSouth Logistics & Commerce Centre’s Building 1, a 1-million-square-foot warehouse near the Interstate 45 and Interstate 20 interchange, for use as a detention facility that could hold up to 10,000 people.”
Earlier reports stated it would hold up to 9,000, both numbers reported are more than the populations of Hutchins by at least 3,000.
Rumors also abounded that the warehouse was an Amazon warehouse.
Research indicated Wednesday, Feb. 4 in Dallas County records the property was not an Amazon warehouse but belonged to Majestic Realty Group who has had the property five years.
Davis said during the press conference regarding the ICE detention center in Hutchins “This is an amazing community of mostly black and brown families working to have something for the next generation. We do not want this for our community and we really do not want this for our country. We are coming together with the community and local officials to say we must figure this out together.”
Other politicians who spoke at the press conference included State Rep. Linda Garcia (D-Mesquite) who said, “This detention center was not ask for by the people and Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D-Farmers Branch) added “This is about cruelty, not public safety.”
A representative from Dallas County Commissioner District 4 Elba Garcia’s office spoke as did representatives from the Dallas NAACP and LULAC.
Ennis resident Lou Luckhardt who held a sign outside City Hall that said, “Support Hutchins Council” called the possible detention center a “concentration camp” and added, “We are here to support the city council’s fight against it. A product warehouse is not a place to house people and Hutchins does not have the water and resources for that.”
Field Organizer Judy Bryant from the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans said “As retirees we are protesting because we know it will affect everyone possibly our members and families. We do not think this will be humane.”
Bryant said she believes there is a middle ground to fulfill Trump’s initiative and be humane “We need a plan to allow people to become citizens who are here and productive members of society. They are contributing to the economy, working, doing jobs some American citizens will not do. Maybe they did not come legally but they are still human beings and we need to make it easier for those in society and not so expensive to become legal citizens.”
No action was taken at Wednesday night’s special city council meeting.
The city’s formal statement “There is little more that we can share with you at this point, beyond what the City has previously communicated.
Staff as well as City officials are still awaiting factual, official information about any potential plans for the property in question. To date, no one from the City has been contacted by federal officials to discuss any such plans or local impacts. We are not even aware of a deed transfer having been recorded with the county for the property in question.
City staff will continue to inquire through all proper channels so they can diligently stay abreast of the issue.
We will continue to keep the community well-informed, and act to protect the community’s interests to the best of our abilities.”
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.
