VIDEO: Neronha Will Not Arrest Wyatt Protesters — While the Group Has Been Arrested in Other States
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha on Wednesday said that the investigation into the incident at the Wyatt Detention Center last week will focus on the “operation of the vehicle and the deployment of pepper spray” — but will likely not take into account the actions of the protesters.
VIDEO: See Neronha Press Conference BELOW
Jewish protesters with “Never Again Action," who organized the Wyatt protest, have been arrested around the country, according to the Houston Chronicle and Common Dreams.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe group states on their website, “We’re shutting down ICE everywhere….we’ve been taught by the signs of our ancestors. As our government runs concentration camps, and rounds up and cages our neighbors, we are called to speak out — #NeverAgainIsNow.”
“Jewish Protesters Arrested at LA Office of Private Prison Company that runs ICE ‘Concentration Camps,’” wrote Commons Dreams on August 5.
“Multiple arrests reported at rally at Houston migrant shelter,” reported the Houston Chronicle on August 12.
“Certainly there was a lot going on that night,” said Neronha on Wednesday, of the Wyatt incident in Central Falls, which saw Wyatt Detention Captain Thomas Woodworth operate a vehicle that drove through a line of protestors blocking the parking lot — and ultimately saw him resign.
“Certainly if you obstruct a roadway, a right of egress — or access — that could, in theory, be a crime, I don’t want to get into specifics here,” said Neronha. “Our focus is [the] operation of the vehicle in question and the deployment of pepper spray."
When asked if the investigation — which Neronha said will likely take “several more weeks” — would look at the actions of the protesters per his previous comments, Neronha responded with the following.
“I have to say that’s not the focus of what we’re looking at here,” said Neronha.
"We have the fundamental right to peaceful protest...[where] you expect to be handled professionally," said Nerhona. "That's a right I take seriously."
This story was first published 8/21/19 12:31 PM
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