- Three arrested during protest against ICE's new Salt Lake facility.
- 500 people gathered opposing ICE's $145 million detention center purchase.
- Protesters cited concerns over detention expansion and federal enforcement contradictions.
SALT LAKE CITY — Three people were arrested Wednesday evening during a clash between protesters and Salt Lake police outside a warehouse recently purchased by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
An estimated 500 people gathered in front of the warehouse, 6020 W. 300 South, to protest the purchase of the facility by ICE, which plans to turn the building into a detention facility.
ICE purchased the 24.9-acre parcel last week, according to property records. In a statement to KSL, ICE said it's planning a "very well-structured detention facility meeting our regular detention standards." Officials didn't state the timeline for development of the facility or how many people it would house.
But recent efforts in towns such as Social Circle, Georgia — where ICE also purchased a large facility — reveal the agency's plan for a "detention reengineering initiative" that calls for eight large-scale detention centers across the country, each with a capacity of housing between 7,000 and 10,000 people.
Many of the hundreds who gathered outside the facility Wednesday displayed signs with statements such as, "Out of Utah," "An ICE detention center does not represent Utah family values," "Ice out" and "Resist," among others.
As the protest was winding down, several clashed with police.
Chase Taylor Fredrickson, 18, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of rioting and causing property damage. He was recorded by officers inside the building "throwing rocks at exterior windows of the building," according to a police booking affidavit.
"In the video, I observed (Fredrickson) throwing multiple rocks at these windows. The throwing of the rocks caused the glass to shatter and break. Federal agents on scene informed me that (he) had damaged three windows in total," the arresting officer wrote.
The total damage to the windows was estimated to be about $3,000.
Salt Lake police say two others, both under the age of 18, were also arrested for investigation of similar crimes. On a nearby wall, someone spray painted a crossed-out swastika with the words "kill all Nazis."
Many said they were protesting Wednesday to support neighbors, friends and family members who could be affected by expanded detention operations.
"I was shocked," said Millcreek resident Matt Bullock, reacting to news of the $145 million federal purchase.
Others expressed frustration over what they see as a contradiction between federal promises and the reality of ICE enforcement.
"Our president said that they would take the criminals, and that is not what we have seen," said Rev. Cindy Edelson of the Salt Lake City Center for Spiritual Living.
"It should not come as news that ICE will be making arrests in states across the U.S. and is actively working to expand detention space," an ICE spokesperson said in a statement earlier this week.
"Why do they need massive storage facilities for people, especially in a warehouse that is not designed to house people?" asked protester Miranda Giles, a Kearns resident and trustee on the Kearns Improvement District Board. Giles also expressed concerns about the facility's water usage and its large price tag.
"As I understand it, the taxable value for this property is millions of dollars below what the government paid for this facility," Giles said.
Some protesters said the issue was personal enough to pull them away from major life events. "Today is my wedding anniversary," said Sandy resident Cambry Mergens. "But this is my priority. I cannot stand for there to be a concentration camp in my state."
Another resident, Jerri Coletti, said this was her first time participating in a protest; the issue hits home for her. Her son-in-law was detained by ICE during an interview with immigration officials.
"We got him out now … but it was totally illegal," Coletti said. "I'm really disappointed in our state. I think our state stands for love … and what Jesus would do, and this is not what Jesus would do. I'm sad."
Wednesday's protest at the facility followed a smaller protest Tuesday outside the Governor's Mansion, 603 E. South Temple.
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Garna Mejia
