Protesters Rally Along Florida Everglades Highway Against Controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Facility

A diverse coalition of activists, including environmentalists and Native Americans, gathered on Saturday outside an airstrip in the Florida Everglades to protest the imminent construction of a new immigrant detention center. Hundreds of participants lined U.S. Highway 41, also known as Tamiami Trail, as dump trucks hauling construction materials rolled onto the site. Supportive honks from passing cars accompanied protesters waving signs advocating for the protection of the Everglades, which is home to various endangered species and Native tribes. Among the demonstrators was Christopher McVoy, an ecologist and South Florida city commissioner, who highlighted both environmental and immigration concerns motivating his participation.

While witnessing a constant stream of trucks entering the site, McVoy expressed that the potential harm to the environment greatly distressed him and that the fear of local immigration raids also added to his worries. In recent days, Florida officials have moved forward with constructing the facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” utilizing emergency powers granted by Governor Ron DeSantis to bypass certain purchasing regulations. This controversial project has continued despite opposition from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and various local activists. The planned facility will include temporary structures, such as heavy-duty tents and trailers, with an aim to provide 5,000 immigration detention beds by early July.

Native American leaders in the area view the construction as an encroachment on sacred lands, contributing to the protest’s urgency. Big Cypress National Preserve, where the airstrip is located, is home to several Miccosukee and Seminole villages, as well as important burial and ceremonial sites. Environmental and human rights groups have raised alarms over the potential impacts on the ecosystem and the treatment of detained immigrants. The Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Everglades have even filed a lawsuit to halt the detention center’s plans.

Amidst the legal challenges, a DeSantis spokesperson defended the facility as a necessary measure for mass deportations, claiming it would not negatively affect the environment. Activists continue to push for a comprehensive environmental review, arguing that the rapid establishment of the site raises serious concerns about long-term effects on the Everglades ecosystem.