In Gainesville, Florida, about a dozen people—mostly older Democratic activists—dramatically demonstrated against the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center by locking themselves inside a small metal cage they dubbed the “Cage of Shame.” They say the stunt represents a powerful symbol of how detainees are being treated.WJXT
One protester, a former asylum officer, called for the abolition of ICE, describing the facility as a human rights crisis cloaked in secrecy. Every ten minutes, protesters paused to stand silently, honoring the thousands of people held in conditions they portrayed as cruel.WJXT
What Is “Alligator Alcatraz”?
The Alligator Alcatraz facility—located in the Florida Everglades and formally known as the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Center—is a hastily built, state-run immigration detention site that can hold thousands of detainees. It has sparked fierce criticism for its location, deadly heat, and proximity to sensitive ecosystems.WikipediaReutersPolitico
Why It Matters
Symbolic Protest: The “Cage of Shame” stunt underscores lawmakers’ concerns about transparency and humane treatment.
Public Pressure: Highlights rising outrage over conditions inside the detention site, prompting legal challenges and tours by Democrat lawmakers.
Political Spotlight: The protest amplifies national attention on Florida’s detention approach and its alignment with Trump-era immigration crackdowns.