On June 18, local media outlets received a press release from the Desert Recreation District. It had nothing to do with parks, or recreation facilities, or fun family events.
“At approximately 9 a.m. this morning, Desert Recreation District staff were made aware of federal law enforcement agencies staging in our Oasis del Desierto Park parking lot,” the press release said. “The district was not provided advance notice, nor did it coordinate with any law enforcement agency for their use of this location. All federal personnel departed the property from 10:45 a.m.”
Oasis del Desierto Park was just one of numerous places in the Coachella Valley where heavily militarized Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up on that day—and on many other June days. Thankfully, some local elected officials are speaking out…