Protestors Rally Against Proposed Immigration Detention Center in Colorado
In a unified stand against immigration detention practices, clergy and immigrant rights advocates gathered Friday afternoon outside the former Gearhead Outfitters store in Evanston’s Sherman Plaza. The protest aimed to voice opposition to plans for converting the Bighorn Correctional Facility in Hudson, Colorado, into an immigration detention center.
Highlands REIT’s Controversial Lease with ICE
Highlands REIT, a Chicago-based private real estate investment trust, owns Sherman Plaza alongside a number of other commercial and residential properties. The company is reportedly planning to lease the former prison facility to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking significant discontent among local community leaders.
Community Leaders Mobilize Against Detention Center
Following outreach from the Rev. Ben Konecny of First Congregational Church of Christ in Greeley, Colorado, Rev. Jason Coulter, senior pastor of the First Congregational Church of Evanston, organized the rally. He collaborated with a coalition of faith leaders and activists from both Evanston and Chicago to amplify their shared concerns.
Organizers Deliver Firm Message to Highlands REIT
During the protest, Coulter read Konecny’s letter, urging Highlands REIT to reconsider its association with ICE: “Our message is clear: Any entity profiting from ICE is complicit in its inhumane practices. We implore Highlands REIT to set a moral precedent by rejecting this lease.” He emphasized that ethical corporate leadership is vital, especially during a pivotal moment in American history.
A Closer Look at Highlands REIT
Pastor Michael Kirby of Northminster Presbyterian Church provided insights into Highlands REIT’s operations, noting that the company, despite managing assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, has only eight employees and no physical office in Chicago. He expressed concern that many tenants and customers at Sherman Plaza are unaware of the company’s dealings.
Testimonies from Detention Center Survivors
Among the protestors was Evanston resident Jose Patino, who shared his harrowing experience following 53 days in ICE custody. His story underscores the real human impact of such facilities, echoing sentiments previously chronicled by local media.
Calls for Justice from Diverse Voices
Rabbi Rachel Weiss of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation poignantly memorialized the individuals who lost their lives in ICE custody, recounting 32 deaths reported in 2025 alone. She highlighted the shared humanity between her and community members like Patino, urging against discrimination based on skin color. Her remarks echoed broader concerns about systemic racism embedded in immigration policies.
Community Voices Demand Accountability
Flor, a representative from the immigrant advocacy group Arise Chicago, denounced the deaths in ICE custody as torturous for families left behind. Moises Zabala, a Workplace Justice Campaign Organizer for Arise Chicago, also emphasized the need to hold Highlands REIT accountable for its actions. In his closing remarks, Pastor Michael Neighbors from Second Baptist Church of Evanston condemned the company’s secretive operations, drawing parallels to ICE’s tactics aimed at instilling fear.
