Indiana Activists Protest ICE Detention at Camp Atterbury – Indianapolis News | Weather | Traffic Updates


Protest Against Camp Atterbury’s Use as ICE Detention Facility in Indiana

Protesters Rally Against ICE Detention Plans at Camp Atterbury

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — A wave of dissent swept through Johnson County on Sunday as approximately 200 protesters gathered at a park near Camp Atterbury, voicing their opposition to plans that would transform the military facility into a temporary detention center for suspected illegal immigrants.

The demonstration, fueled by concerns over human rights and historical parallels, drew participants from across Indiana. Amanda Burkman, who traveled from Jennings County, expressed her alarm, likening the proposed facility to a concentration camp reminiscent of those she has visited in Europe. “I’ve seen what they’re doing in Alligator Alcatraz, and I know that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is referring to what they’re doing in Indiana as the Speedway Slammer,” Burkman stated emphatically. “I don’t want that in my state, I don’t want that in my country.”

Among the crowd was Krista Johnson Weichsel, a member of Tapestry Church in Bargersville, who emphasized the importance of kindness and compassion in her faith. “We try to welcome the stranger. That’s what our faith teaches us,” she said. “This is happening right in our backyard. It’s an embarrassment.”

The controversy surrounding Camp Atterbury intensified after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced last month that the facility, along with New Jersey’s Joint Base Dix-Lakehurst, would serve as an ICE detention site. Currently managed by the Indiana National Guard, Camp Atterbury has not yet housed any detainees. Governor Mike Braun indicated that discussions are ongoing regarding the roles of ICE and the National Guard in operating the facility.

While Indiana Republicans, including Congresswoman Erin Houchin, have expressed support for the ICE plans, protesters highlighted the stark contrast between the proposed detention facility and Camp Atterbury’s historical role. During World War II, the base served as a hospital for over 85,000 patients, and in 2021, it temporarily housed Afghan refugees following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Brad Meyer, a protest organizer and Democratic challenger to Houchin in the upcoming Congressional election, argued that the ICE proposal contradicts the facility’s legacy of compassion.

As the protest concluded, demonstrators staged a drive-by at Camp Atterbury’s main gate, signaling their determination to continue the fight against the ICE plans. Meyer announced plans for another protest outside Houchin’s Salem field office in October, promising that the movement against the detention facility is far from over.

The debate over Camp Atterbury’s future continues to unfold, with community members urging officials to reconsider the implications of turning a site of healing and refuge into a detention center. As tensions rise, the voices of concerned citizens echo a call for compassion and humanity in the face of immigration policy.

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