‘Old Farts’ arrested while protesting outside ICE office in Philadelphia

A group of senior citizen protesters who have dubbed themselves the “Old Farts” were arrested while demonstrating outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Philadelphia on Friday.

Six protesters were arrested for refusing to move from blocking the building, according to WHYY, Philadelphia’s National Public Radio affiliate.

{mosads}The group was protesting President Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy that led to the separation of more than 2,000 migrant children from their parents upon being detained at the U.S.–Mexico border for crossing illegally.

“We have a voice as elders and citizens and concerned people to speak up for the welfare for all people but especially for the children,” Lynn Eiser told the radio station.

Eiser was given a $50 fine after being removed from the scene by police.

Arrests underway at Phl #ice pic.twitter.com/NXlBX0Wrxy

— Tom MacDonald–WHYY (@TMacDonaldWHYY) June 29, 2018

Members from Juntos, an immigrant organization in South Philadelphia, also showed up to support the older protesters.

“I am honored that the elders are out here fighting so that our families are protected — not only from the grips of — we are all standing here out today in this heat taking the risk of not only arrest but their health,” said Juntos member, Erica Almeron.

WHYY reported that about a dozen people seeking services had to be turned away from the ICE office because they couldn’t get inside.

The Philadelphia Police Department deployed their elite civil affairs unit to handle Friday’s protesters.

Many of the older protesters were placed in flexible handcuffs, which were not tightened, WHYY reported.

Protestors blocking #ice office in #phl pic.twitter.com/nl54RQZhMc

— Tom MacDonald–WHYY (@TMacDonaldWHYY) June 29, 2018

A lawyer for the demonstrators told CBS Philly that many were released a short time later for civil code violations.

A number of protests have continued to crop up across the U.S. amid outrage surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

An ICE detention center in Portland, Ore., was closed for more than eight days after being swarmed by protesters. Demonstrators who had camped out at the facility were removed on Thursday by police wearing riot gear.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) was arrested, along with hundreds of women, at the Senate Hart Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as part of the #WomenDisobey sit-in.

Thousands are expected to demonstration on Saturday through the Families Belong Together marches planned in D.C. and in all 50 states.

Trump signed an executive order earlier this month to end the practice of separating migrant families who are awaiting prosecution for illegally crossing the southern border. Thousands of children separated from their parents under the administration’s initial policy, however, have yet to be reunited with their families.