Planned protests are underway in Rochester on Tuesday in response to the visit of U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan.
Homan is making a stop at the Rochester Police Locust Club following his public criticism of Rochester City Hall and its sanctuary city policy. It stems from a traffic stop in the city last month involving U.S. Border Patrol and RPD officers.
Homan arrived at the Locust Club just after noon.
“They did the right thing,” Homan said during a White House briefing on Monday. “Law enforcement responding to emergency assistance from law enforcement. So, I’m going up there to support the men and women in law enforcement, the men and women who carry that badge and gun every day, that work in the streets at 2 a.m. while we’re all sleeping. I’m going to give my support.”
The U.S. Department of Justice has also sued for an injunction against the city’s long-standing policy.
Rallies are taking place Tuesday outside the Locust Club, the Rochester Public Safety Building and demonstrators placed banners on overpasses along I-490.
A rally to fight for Rochester’s sanctuary city status is also happening at 5 p.m.
Organizers with the so-called 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement say they are calling on RPD to remove the officers involved in the Border Patrol traffic stop from duty. Protesters also called on Rochester City Council members to pass legislation that will protect and expand the sanctuary city policy.
Rep. Joe Morelle, a Democrat, issued a statement on Homan’s visit:
Spectrum News 1 will follow the developments with Homan’s visit and will update this article as more information becomes available.
