In this Friday afternoon newscast:
ICE agent allegedly pepper sprays observers and demonstrators near Santa Cruz county jail
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement watchdog group alleges ICE agents pepper sprayed at least one of its volunteers in Santa Cruz Thursday evening.
Trained legal observers and other community members had gathered to watch an ICE vehicle from a safe distance after the agency was spotted on Ocean Street near the county jail.
That’s according to Dave Wilson, a volunteer with Your Allied Rapid Response (or YARR) of Santa Cruz County. He says an ICE agent then told everyone there to disperse. When they did not, the agent allegedly used pepper spray, "and also shoved a community member to the ground.”
Wilson says he's not aware of any major injuries being reported and no one was taken by ICE.
"This was a tremendous success in terms of the community, the broader community beyond YARR volunteers, showing up," Wilson said. "And their mere presence was enough to make ICE cower and run away."
ICE did not return KAZU’s request for comment in time for this story.
Monterey's Passo Italian Cafe and its $2.50 cappuccino
