https://twitter.com/joshwaayala47/status/1294088134058299401

On Thursday Aug. 20 a vigil was held on Minnieville Road in support for Luis Cruz. Mr. Cruz was arrested during a routine traffic stop on August 13 by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents who identified themselves as undercover Prince William County Police at the time of the stop. The above video was filmed by Mr. Josh Ayala, who was the driver at the time of the stop. Mr. Cruz as of this time has been detained in an ICE facility in Caroline County.

We spoke with Mr. Ayala yesterday regarding the situation. “We were pulled over on Old Bridge Road, and they said that our vehicle matched the description of a crime that happened in the area,” said Ayala. “We gave them our IDs, and we had nothing to hide. I gave the officer my registration, and he just grabbed my sheet, didn’t even look at it, then gave it back to me.”

He continues on with what took place at the incident in question. “After that they just told Luis to get out of the car, and immediately they arrest him, something about that they had a warrant for his arrest. We were pulled over a year ago by the (Prince William County) police, and at no time was there a mention of a warrant then, so why didn’t they arrest him then?”

“They made a false story about how they were officers of the county. I asked for an ID and one of the officers says that his badge he kept underneath was hidden under their kneecap. As they were leaving I took a video of their license plates.”

https://twitter.com/joshwaayala47/status/1294425861538619398

Ayala discussed the treatment to his partner after he was arrested. “He was taken to the Target over on Prince William Parkway where he was abused. His thumbs are still numb from the attack.”

The vigil was sponsored by Santos, a non-profit organization who provides legal defense and other services for incarcerated people who are immigrants, as well as Free For All. In addition, it was attended by Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin as well as Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye. The PW Perspective has reached out to both supervisors as well as Santos for comment. Requests to Mr. Ayala’s legal team at the Legal Aid Justice Center for comment have not been returned as of this time.

In addition, there are several requests for the Prince William County Police to publicly denounce the actions of ICE posing as their officers. No response has been given from the PWCPD as of this time.

As for further action, Josh Ayala and his supporters want justice not only for Luis, but for several others who have been victimized by ICE.

“It’s not just Latinx people in there, it’s Russians, Africans, and several others. I don’t know why they make it into a one group issue. At the end of the day, it’s a human rights issue.”

“We just want the video of us going to the Prince William County & Manassas police station informing us that they have no record of Luis being detained.”

He expressed his feelings on how he’s dealing with the situation.

“I’m angry, I’m disappointed but I’m going to stay strong for Luis. I still have no idea why ICE exists. There’s no reason why this should have happened to him, or to anyone else.”

#releaseluis #freethemall