GEO Group protesters lock down headquarters in Boca Raton
DEC 03, 2019
Update: 12:45 p.m. An unknown number of activists who had cemented themselves to the entrances of the Geo Group’s building have been arrested, according to Boca Raton Police. Crews were still cutting at least two more.
“The dishonest narrative and lies that are being spread about the services our company provides is based on the same false rhetoric that has led to the endangerment of our employees, of government employees, and the public,” Pablo Paez, a spokesperson for Geo Group wrote in an emailed statement to the Sun-Sentinel around noon. “The safety of our employees is our top priority, and any violence, vandalism, or destruction of property at any of our facilities and offices will not be tolerated.”
Activists with cement and tar locked themselves to entrances at the headquarters of prison operator Geo Group on Tuesday to protest the detention of undocumented immigrants.
Eight or nine people blocked the entrances at 4955 Technology Way in Boca Raton about 7 a.m. Tuesday. More than a dozen other protesters gathered around the building, chanting and holding signs.
One organizer was detained while leading chants. A Boca Raton police officer told protest leader Carlos Valnera Naranjo he was in violation of a city ordinance that prohibits the use of amplified sound. Naranjo continued to chant into a megaphone and officers handcuffed him, took him into custody and seized the amplifier.
Protesters said they were acting against what they consider the mistreatment of immigrants and other detainees in facilities owned or operated by Geo Group.
“We are stopping all operations," activist Flavio Franco said Tuesday morning. "We demand that Geo Group liberate all undocumented people in jail.”
Police sealed off the parking lot during the protest.
Before being taken into custody, Naranjo told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that activists who locked themselves to the doors were using mixtures of cement and tar to make it difficult to remove them.