‘Alligator Alcatraz’ protesters speak out against the construction of the immigration detention center

Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest the construction of an immigration detention center in the Everglades that leaders have dubbed Alligator Alcatraz and is planning its opening in the coming days This shouldn t be going on in the everglades anywhere else but the everglades stated Heidi Fischer a protester Environmental advocates demand a stop to construction on the square mile old airstrip in the heart of the Florida Everglades I saw the dump trucks I saw the concrete trucks mentioned Phillip Stoddard a protester They re taking a big swath and they re wrecking it that s what really pushed me over the edge It s not good for the water it s not good for the wildlife and the habitats commented Daniel Mlodozeniec a protester Why is it here The Miami Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport is being turned into the remote holding area The site is surrounded by swamplands and the Big Cypress National Preserve Protestors saying the area is known for its wetlands and that it is critical for wildlife and the water supply Advocating for the everglades and the climate is advocating for all of us commented Betty Osceola of the Miccosukee tribe Indigenous leaders were at the forefront Saturday saying construction is encroaching on sacred lands My ancestors are laid to rest out there all around that place the ancestors are there revealed Osceola The ancestors don t like all these vehicles and fuel that s being dumped on them Those same sentiments were taken to court as environmental groups filed a lawsuit on Friday to halt the project until it goes through a stringent environmental review The environmental groups claim the review is required under federal and state law with the governor s office planning to oppose the suit in court By Tuesday this will be able to have intake of illegals noted Governor Ron DeSantis Work is underway with the site captured using trailers and heavy duty tents Officers expect it will have immigration detention beds in operation The Florida Guard will deploy soldiers for defense with the possibility of more in the future If a criminal alien were to escape from here somehow and I don t know think they will you ve got nowhere to go reported DeSantis during a visit to the site The detention center could cost the sate more than million dollars with chosen that money expected to be reimbursed by FEMA