US: Occupy ICE protest and counterprotest planned in Louisville July 7 /update 1

Event

Occupy ICE protesters are planning on staging a "Brunch and Rally Against Hate" beginning at 08:00 (local time) on Saturday, July 7, in front of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Louisville (Kentucky). The rally is being organized to protest US immigration policy and demand the abolition of ICE. Right-wing counterprotesters from the Three Percenters of Kentucky organization are expected to gather at the site at 09:00 (local time).

Officials have accordingly closed 6th, 7th, and 8th streets from Broadway to Muhammad Ali Boulevard from 07:00 to 12:00 on Saturday as a precaution. A heightened security presence is expected near the protest and counterprotest site. Clashes between the groups cannot be ruled out.

Context

The administration of US President Donald Trump has introduced several controversial immigration policies, including the prosecution of asylum-seekers who have illegally entered the country from Mexico. Asylum-seeking families traveling with minors who are detained at the border have also been divided, with minors and other family members detained separately. Under federal law, minors are protected from being housed in detention facilities and are instead housed in shelters or with sponsors. According to reports released in April 2018, federal agencies lost track of nearly 1500 such children, sparking widespread outrage with the ICE policy and prompting the current nationwide protests.

Advice

Individuals in Louisville are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.