Protestors picketing outside of an ICE facility narrowly escaped what could have been a fatal interaction when a man wearing a guard uniform drove a black pick-up truck into them.
There were about 400 protestors from Never Again Action, a Jewish group calling for the end of ICE detention, and Amor, a Rhode Island-based immigrant rights group, standing outside of the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island on Wednesday night when a pick-up truck drove toward them. The truck can be seen on a video shot by a bystander as slowing down just before plowing into the crowd as people scream and attempt to move out of the way.
Amy Anthony, a spokesperson for Never Again Action, told NBC News the event was "terrifying." Anthony told The Washington Post, “It certainly appeared he was trying to hit us.”
Reports from several media outlets indicate the driver was a correctional officer who worked at the detention center. The driver walked into the facility, and other guards pepper-sprayed the protestors as they attempted to block drivers from entering.
The Rhode Island attorney general’s office released the following statement: "This Office, working with the Rhode Island State Police, is investigating what transpired last night at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls. Once we have a full understanding of the relevant facts, we will determine how to proceed. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right of all Americans; it is unfortunate last night's situation unfolded as it did. We urge all to exercise restraint as our investigation proceeds."
“The truck kind of swerved to sort of pick up speed,” Anthony told the Post. “It felt unreal to see this happening and to see that someone was actively driving into a group of people who, as I say, were peacefully sitting.”