President Biden’s rally to mark his 100th day in office was interrupted as soon as it began by protesters calling for an end to detention centers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Biden was in the process of thanking Georgia voters at the outset of his remarks when protesters could be heard shouting “End detention now” and “Abolish ICE.” One protester called out “Our families are dying,” and noted that they voted for Biden in the 2020 election.
“I agree with you,” Biden called back. “I’m working on it, man. Give me another five days.”
“There should be no private prisons, period,” Biden added.
It’s unclear if Biden is preparing executive action on the issue, but he signed an order a week into his presidency directing the Justice Department to end its reliance on private prisons. Still, he has been pressed by progressives to end the use of detention centers for immigrants who entered the country illegally.
The protesters were eventually escorted out of the drive-in rally, and Biden carried on with his remarks.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden traveled to Georgia to mark his 100th day in office. Georgia carries special significance for Biden, as its election of two Democratic senators in January runoff elections delivered Democrats a narrow majority in the upper chamber and enabled Biden to pass parts of his agenda.