TUCSON, Ariz – Footage and news reports circulated today show Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using pepper spray and tear gas canisters on Tucson community members who were protesting immigration raids conducted at a local business. Among those subjected to ICE’s escalated use of force was Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva while she was seeking information from masked agents.
ACLU of Arizona Executive Director Victoria López issued the following comment:
“Showering community members and press with pepper spray and tear gas while they observe and protest immigration enforcement actions in Tucson is the latest example of ICE and Border Patrol's lawlessness. Trump’s mass deportation agenda continues to fuel violence and violate constitutional rights, even against lawful observers and elected officials who stand up for their communities.”
“Representative Grijalva, and all members of Congress, have the duty to serve as a check on executive power. Pepper spraying and shoving the congresswoman while she sought information about the arrest of her constituents shows ICE’s – and by extension, the Trump administration's – stark disregard for our democracy. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in Arizona or anywhere else.”
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