DACA, Deportation Protests Prompt Peaceful Arrests

Faith in Indiana hosted a protest in downtown Indianapolis Tuesday, blocking a busy intersection to stand against deportation and to find a long-term DACA solution.

The demonstration intentionally blocked the intersection, prompting police to peacefully arrest about 15 protesters, mostly religious leaders. Protester Janice Wheater-Cowen says this sent an important message.

“We hope we made the point that these are families that we want to keep together,” she says.

The faith-based protest included prayers and singing songs as people formed a human chain across the intersection.

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The story of the Good Samaritan was also read in both English and Spanish. Protester Donna Monday says that story spoke to her.

“We were trying to do the right thing, we were trying to do what Jesus asked people to do,” Monday says.

Wheater-Cowen says she participated in the protest because of her faith, and her experiences in Spanish-speaking countries.

“These people have come to our country, many of them fleeing violence – drug-related or political. I feel we owe it to them to take care of them,” she says.

President Donald Trump set a March 5 deadline for Congress to act. But a Supreme Court ruling late last month offered a temporary reprieve.