Marchers protest detention center in Gilroy
Hundreds of protesters marched in Gilroy, California, against a federal plan to build an immigration detention facility. Organizers and residents expressed strong disapproval, linking the proposed detention center with a local data center and concerns about data usage for oppression.
Hundreds of protesters gathered and marched in Gilroy, California, on Sunday to voice strong opposition to a federal plan for an immigration detention facility. The demonstration, organized by community leaders, started with a rally and speeches at Arroyo Circle and culminated in a 1.5-mile march to 7240 Holsclaw Road, the proposed site.
Former Gilroy City Council member Rebeca Armendariz addressed the crowd, connecting the proposed detention center with a "data center right here in Gilroy" which she claimed would be used to "use our data and use our images to oppress." She emphasized a collaborative effort across Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties to prevent the facility. Residents expressed outrage over the federal government's plans and the perceived cruelty of the project, stating their tax dollars should not fund such initiatives. Public records indicate the General Services Administration awarded a $26.5 million contract for the project in 2025 to a Beverly Hills-based real estate firm linked to other ICE detention centers.