Protests in Durango and across the nation – particularly against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s mass deportation operations – have been increasingly frequent in recent months. And, after a Minneapolis woman was shot in her car by an ICE officer on Wednesday, an emergency “Stop ICE Terror” protest has been planned in Durango for Friday afternoon.
The announcement of this latest protest comes just days after the Durango Police Department posted guidelines on how to protest safely on its Facebook page. Some of the recommendations were to remain peaceful – no threats, fighting or vandalism; stick to city sidewalks and public parks; and do not obstruct traffic.
City spokesman Tom Sluis said in a series of text messages to the The Durango Herald that the protest guidelines are meant to help keep the community safe and apply to all demonstrations.
“The city is very supportive of the public right to assemble and peaceably protest, and providing these guidelines helps the public do just that,” he said.
During a public meeting with law enforcement after an October protest over the arrest and deportation of a Durango man and his two children outside a Bodo Park ICE facility, community members asked officials how acts of civil disobedience should be conducted.
“After the first major protest, many community members said they wished they had more information beforehand about applicable laws, the potential use of chemical agents, and what actions could place them at legal risk,” Durango Police Chief Brice Current said in an emailed statement.
He said the guidelines are to make sure the community is safe and to peacefully voice dissent. By laying out those recommendations, the department aims to remain “transparent, consistent and grounded in the law,” he said.
“The simplest path forward is for all of us – protesters, law enforcement and government officials – to follow the law and work through established processes to address disagreement and change,” he said. “That system can feel slow and frustrating, but it is intentionally designed to limit the concentration of power and prevent extreme swings in any one direction. While imperfect, it exists to protect the rights of everyone.”
Sluis added that the guidelines are meant to apply to everyone, regardless of who is protesting or what is being protested.
“Providing these guidelines is not about taking sides in a political issue,” he said. “Telling people how to peaceably protest is the same as explaining the rules of how to drive a vehicle down the road. We have various local, state and federal laws in place that affect all residents every day for everything they do. The goal is to be as transparent as possible regarding these rules so we can all coexist as a community.”
According to the Facebook post, having a clear plan for a protest, going with a group of people, following lawful directions and distancing oneself from someone trying to escalate violence can keep protesters safe. Protesters were urged to bring water, medications, weather-appropriate clothing and a charged phone to any demonstrations.
Public spaces, such as sidewalks or public parks, can be used by anyone. But any protest on private property requires the owner’s permission for people to gather ahead of time.
“Businesses, driveways, sidewalks and emergency access routes need to stay open,” the post said.
The post said protesters should avoid throwing objects, tampering with cars or climbing on anything. Additionally, the post said, protesters should not bring “items that could be used to hurt someone,” though it did not provide specifics.
“Our shared goal is simple: a safe community where people can speak freely, be heard and go home safely,” the post said.
If there is an emergency or threat to public safety, the department recommended calling 911. For anything other than an emergency, the post said to call DPD’s non-emergency dispatch at 385-2900.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
