GWYNETHICS

The family of Ricardo Montes also held signs for Lloyd Gilmore, who died in-police custody June 10th. Folks gathered along the side of Malone street in front of Aaron’s so they could be seen by passing drivers.

Ricardo’s oldest daughter, Sarah, is not his biological daughter. Ricardo stepped up to raise her as his own when she was just 5-years-old. If Ricardo hadn’t come to the United States and met her mom, she wouldn’t have had a dad. “He’s the only father I know. I’m not asking anybody to feel sorry for us. If he could just please come home, I’ll pay whatever I have to, I’ll do whatever I have to. Just please don’t judge him because of how long he’s been here and the color of his skin.”

Ricardo’s son, Jacob, says his father taught him what it means to be a man. “He got ripped away from me. I’m still growing and I know I don’t need my dad, but my dad is still the backbone to most of my whole family. He’s the only person I’ll ever know that will help you with no question or hesitation. Everyday I try to match his manhood, and I just can’t. He taught me from right and wrong, and this ain’t right at all.”

People are used to seeing cops, sheriff’s deputies, and troopers at the rodeo. People are not used to seeing ICE. If you were walking around the rodeo, though, you likely wouldn’t have seen them anyway. Ricardo went to scan his ID for a 21+ wrist band. His family says he presented them his Mexican ID. Ricardo does not have a green card.

Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley said in a statement that when an international identification is presented, additional verification is needed. Law enforcement would come to verify identity and age, and during that contact, question was raised over immigration status. ICE agents, which the public did not know were present, responded.

I asked Jacob how he feels about ICE. “It’s just ridiculous how much money we’re spending to get good, honest, working people out of the country for no reason. It’s not like they don’t provide to society. They sure do. It’s not like my dad doesn’t pay taxes. If anything, he’s getting screwed over.”

A protestor, Mackenzie Gray, said “I came to support because I am tired of ICE ruining everyone’s lives and making it hard for people who want to live in our country for a better life. We want to protect them and make sure that they’re safe while they’re here. I’m a Christian, and God sees us all equally.”

At one point, someone said a white truck flipped off the crowd, then parked nearby. I watched the truck. He sat for a moment, then he drove by, revving his engine. He looped back around to the street and did it again.

Later on, a woman named Laurie Marsh confronted the crowd. I couldn’t really understand what she was saying at first, but she walked toward a girl with a sign pointing and saying something else. She walked back to her car after protestors told her to back off. I went over there to see if she wanted to speak, and some of Ricardo’s family followed soon after me.

Mrs. Marsh said she didn’t like that they were flying Mexican flags without American flags. Ricardo’s family explained they are still American and love America, but they are flying that flag to honor and symbolize their father’s heritage. The conversation was peaceful. I talked more with her after they walked away. She said, “I welcome every immigrant who comes here, legally. They should have a heritage flag and an American flag to say, we are still Americans. This to me is like, we’re just Mexican and we don’t give a damn.”

Throughout the protest, some folks had to go back in their cars to cool off, because the heat was so brutal. His family brought cold water and gatorade for the protestors to stay hydrated. Now, after the protest, the family awaits a court decision on their father’s fate. Either he will get bond and begin his path toward citizenship here, or he will be deported and forced to wait in Mexico.