AURORA, Colo. -- Three people were arrested Thursday night during an anti-ICE protest aimed at one of the administrators of the Aurora detention facility who lives in the neighborhood.
Dozens of protesters hoped the march led to the administrator's resignation.
"We’ve been to the facility many times. In fact, for years different groups have held vigils and protests at the facility and we are just running out of time," said Christina Lafon, one of the organizers of the protest.
"We are not here to cause violence. We are here to bring awareness of what this man does for a living," protester Andrea Chavez said.
The protest was met with opposition. Neighbors gathered on their lawns, many telling Denver7 they have no problem with their right to peaceful protest, they just don't like it in their neighborhood.
"This is where we live, this is our neighborhood. Don’t come through our neighborhood and try to bring your propaganda against us. We didn’t do anything to you," said one neighbor who did not want to be identified.
"Part of our plan is to let the people know exactly who they are living next to," Lafon said. "A lot of people in this neighborhood live in a lot of comfort and we think it’s important to disrupt that even for one night."
In a statement, a spokesperson for The GEO Group, the company that runs the detention facility, said, “We are deeply troubled by the dangerous rhetoric and intimidation perpetrated by these extremist groups, who have now targeted one of our employees and his family at their home, recklessly releasing their personal information.”
Denver7 also reached out to ICE, who called the demonstration a “misguided protest."
Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz called the protest "vile and disgusting," adding the message by the protesters was completely lost.
"My cops were simply AMAZING despite your attempts to bait them into a confrontation!" he said.
The three people arrested by Aurora police will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, the police department said in a tweet late Thursday. Among their charges are obstruction, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, police said.
