By K.D. Norris
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, we present in-depth interviews with both sides of the current conflict between the Kent County Commission, and Sheriff’s Department, and Movimiento Cosecha GR over the county Sheriff’s department contract with the federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement agency, known as ICE.
The contract between the Sheriff’s Department and ICE relates to the processing and holding in the county jail of persons suspected of crimes who also have an unclear immigration status.
Cosecha is a national nonviolent movement fighting for the dignity, respect and permanent protection of all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Early in September, the Kent County Board of Commissioners took the highly unusual step of recessing, relocating and excluding the public from its regular monthly meeting due to the continued protest of board meetings by members of Movimiento Cosecha GR and Rapid Response to ICE. Commission leadership say it does not have the legal authority to end the contract or direct the Sheriff to do so. But members of the protesting groups say the commission will not even conduct good-faith discussions with them on the issue.
WKTV brings you both sides of this important and divisive issue.
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
