No Signs, Only Prayers Planned at Alligator Alcatraz

After several weeks of protests, a different kind of event is planned outside the gates of what has been dubbed Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee — all prayers and only prayers welcome— this Saturday, July 19. 

Betty Osceola, of the Panther Clan of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, a resident of Ochopee, announced the event, 1:00 to 4:00 PM Saturday, July 19, at 54575 Tamiami Trail East.  

“There will be no sign holding, no protesting. This is a day of reflection, of peace, of spirituality, of prayer, of honoring Creator and his creation in the ultimate church, Mother Earth,” Osceola said.  

Ministers, preachers, rabbis, and spiritual leaders of any and all faiths are encouraged to contact Osceola, and all are welcome to pray in solidarity. All styles of prayer and blessings are welcome, she said.  

“Humanity is at stake regardless of how you feel about the situation,” Osceola said of the immigration detention center in the center of the Everglades. 

Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center was established in late June after an announcement of the plan by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.  

Though it’slocated in Collier County and was operated by Miami Dade County, Collier County staff, attorneys, and Commissioners have said they have no rights or responsibilities regarding the activity there. They have raised concerns about hurricane and storm safety but said those responsibilities will lie with Florida emergency management officials.  

Ongoing lawsuits continue to be filed, including by Friends of the Everglades, Center for Biological Diversity and Earth Justice, among others, in attempts to stop the activities on the site due to reported violations of the Endangered Species Act, citing the presence of the endangered Florida panther and other species listed as threatened; lack of an environmental impact study and other concerns due to new roadway construction, fuel storage, large generators, increased traffic and other impacts.   

There are approximately 1,000 detainees there according to recent tours by politicians and the detention center population continues to grow with plans to accommodate approximately 5,000 detainees on the jetport property that was stopped during a national environmental movement decades ago. It is located in Big Cypress National Preserve, is the source of South Florida’s drinking water, and is in the center of the ongoing long-term Everglades Restoration Project. 

"If you cannot find it in your heart to put anger aside for the day or if the emotions of everything are just too much to be there in person, that’s okay. Join us in prayer from wherever you are,” Osceola said in the event announcement.  

"Come with love, your spirituality, your humility, your compassion, your heart. Come as a human being. Come with your bible, your rosary, your flute, your song,” Osceola said. 

She organized Indigenous-led gatherings of prayer and education at the outset of the detention center being announced in late June, drawing hundreds of people to the site within days of its public announcement by Uthmeier. Soon, protests began gathering around the site. 

This event seeks to keep all attendees’ intentions peaceful and prayerful, she said.