MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Six people face trespassing charges after a pair of anti-ICE protests in Morgantown.
The arrests came near the Donley Street regional office of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito Tuesday afternoon after the protesters refused to move. The second protest was a march from the WVU campus into downtown Morgantown.
Morgantown Mayor Danielle Trumble spoke in favor of those expressing their views at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
“I’m certainly in favor of everyone expressing their constitutional right to free speech and peaceful protest,” Trumble said. “Deputy Mayor (Butcher) and I felt compelled to put out the statement, and things have not been pleasant since.”
The statement, released last week, said in part, “Together, let’s reaffirm our commitment to unity, inclusivity, and the welcoming of a diverse community even whilst we face our darkest days in this nation. The only way to navigate these challenging times is by uplifting one another and cultivating a sense of belonging for all. This is the Morgantown, state, and country that we long to see and work toward each and every day.”
Butcher said Tuesday night it may get worse before it gets better.
“We’ve talked about creative ideas about what we can do to try to protect people at this time, to be frank, it is slim,” said Butcher. “That is largely a function of state code, and if you look at the bills that are going in the state legislature right now, it’s going to be more slim.”
Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed an MOU with he federal government last fall that includes the state’s cooperation with ICE. State Police Superintendent Col. Jim Mitchell reported to lawmakers earlier this week that state police have helped ICE make 250 arrests in West Virginia in recent months.
A bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday, HB 4433, that says those convicted of smuggling an illegal could be convicted to spend at least 25 years in prison.
Members of the public who spoke during the Morgantown City Council meeting expressed a combination of frustrations toward council and concerns regarding ICE
“We do not want immigration and customs enforcement operatives in our city, and we ask that every public servant, from council to clerk to police, make our city as inhospitable to these ICE agents as possible,” resident Paige Rearing said.
While actions are limited, city officials also emphasized that many intend to remain vocal and active in finding ways to prevent such operations from taking place within the City of Morgantown.
“The state has made it incredibly difficult, but that does not mean we have to be complacent,” Trumble said. “Voting members of the NLC that come from red states, blue states, local elected officials who were there recognize the need (to call for an adjustment in federal policy).”