Marchers to rally in Norristown against Montco prison construction
Protesters will begin a march across the Pennsylvania this weekend to demonstrate their opposition to the construction of new prisons.Activists with “Decarcerate PA” will make stops along the way, including a visit to Norristown, the seat of Montgomery County. A two-prison compound is planned on the grounds of Graterford in Montgomery County.
Ana Santoyo and other Latino advocates will join them there to protest what they consider overly aggressive policing and incarceration of immigrants.
“We’re rallying to stop the investment in prisons and detention in Norristown and to start investing in our communities,” she said.
As WHYY has reported, the collaboration of police in Norristown with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at traffic checkpoints has allegedly led to racial profiling and unlawful detentions.
At the rally, immigrants will testify about their experiences with police and incarceration.
The marchers’ trek from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, more than 100 miles, will take over a week, ending in a rally in the state capital on June 3.
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