Luissana Santibanez speaks to demonstrators at Hutto Detention center, Taylor (Dec. 16, 2006 – photo by Susan Van Haitsma)
Jay Johnson-Castro (left) among children at Hutto Detention center vigil, Taylor (Dec. 16, 2006 – photo by Susan Van Haitsma)
We have been able to locate only one news report on the vigil (although the Statesman and BBC Mundo did advance pieces). Here is the link to News 8 Austin, the 24-hour news channel for Time-Warner Cable.
Group protests children being held in Hutto prison.
12/17/2006 4:20 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff
The treatment of immigrants brought out protestors in Taylor. Dozens gathered outside the T. Don Hutto prison Saturday.
They say the prison houses immigrants who are awaiting asylum or deportation hearings.
Of the 400 immigrants housed there, the protestors say half are children.
“Think about your infant, your little toddler your little child in jail. Think about the innocent child having to wake up every day in a jail cell,” said Frances Valdez of the University of Texas Immigration Clinic
The facility holds people anywhere from several weeks to several months.
Protestors believe the incarceration of children is inhumane and that there are better alternatives for dealing with immigrants.
“This is a travesty – this is an outrage, it’s shocking. It’s anti-American it’s anti-freedom,” said Jay Johnson-Castro, a Grassroots supporter.
Rebecca Bernhardt from the A.C.L.U. of TEXAS says, “We also need to talk about why this is an incredible waste of taxpayer resources and that they know they have alternatives to this jail”.
Adults and children took part in the protest. They held signs and banners calling for justice.
Texas Civil Rights Review 