Reporting from Alligator Alcatraz: Citizens react as trucks deliver supplies, fill dirt
Note to readers: The Naples Daily News and The News-Press have a reporter and photographer on the ground today (June 26) in the Everglades at the location of what is being referred to as Alligator Alcatraz − an abandoned airport being a temporary migrant detention facility.
Semi trucks and others vehicles are pulling into the Alligator Alcatraz site at the edge of Everglades National Park today (June 26).
Traffic was heavy, and passing drivers were staring as they passed the notorious site, which is going to house the 1,000 or so of the nation’s most dangerous and violent immigrants.
Nora Espinal was protesting outside the gates.
“I’m watching what we’re doing to Mother Nature,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking. In the ‘70s people were trying to save this land and this is about the land. Our water comes from here. At the end of the day without nature, humans aren’t going to live.”
She said the prison should go through normal government channels and consider public input.
“This is really just happening in front of our faces,” she said. “They didn’t go through the right channels and it didn’t get approved. It’s just being built. It’s basically a war against nature.”
This isolated stretch of Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) connects the Naples area to Miami but is now being used to transport trailers, constellation equipment and bathroom facilities.
Many people in this area are concerned that the prison will taint the Everglades and possibly even open up more area for development.
Large trucks with commercial sized generators were going to and from the property on Thursday morning, as were unmarked cars that appeared to be public vehicles that were not associated with a government agency.
Most of the trucks and cars entering and leaving the site were unmarked, although state police and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were at the access gate to the property.
Some trucks looked to be loaded with fill dirt, which could be used to fill in protected wetlands.
That’s one thing locals are worried about.
This is a developing story. Check naplesnews.com and news-press.com for updates, including photos and video.