Michigan nonagenarian speaks out against ICE detention

From staff reports

“We’ve got to speak up and say ‘this is not right!’” 90-year-old Clarice McKenzie explained why she stood alone along M-37 near Baldwin during a No Kings protest this spring. Baldwin is home to the North Lake Processing Center, the largest ICE detention center in the Midwest.

McKenzie told the Sun she received six honks of support and heard no foul language, though Lake County voted overwhelmingly for Trump. “My family thinks I’m brave for doing this. But this isn’t brave.” McKenzie said the bravest thing she ever did was riding the New York City subway by herself several years ago.

A devout United Methodist inspired by social action, McKenzie joined Grand Rapids clergy on a visit with detainees at North Lake this spring. She met Gloria, a Nigerian woman who immigrated to Detroit 10 years ago and left five children behind when she was apprehended by ICE. According to McKenzie, Gloria eats little but rice inside the prison, where food conditions are reportedly poor. “Her faith gives her the ability to get through each day,” said McKenzie. “She reads the Bible and watches television.”

McKenzie, who lives in a Grand Rapids retirement home, hoped to visit Gloria again during Fourth of July weekend.