GARY, Ind. (AP) _ Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says she is withdrawing her support to build an immigrant detention center in the northwest Indiana city.
Freeman-Wilson said in a statement late Wednesday that she initially signaled support for the facility because it would increase Gary's tax base and add jobs. But she said she couldn't align her support with her experiences, which she said includes being “an advocate for civil and human rights.''
The GEO Group Inc. has proposed the detention center near the Gary/Chicago International Airport and is seeking a zoning variance. The company said the investment would be worth $65 million and create possibly more than 200 jobs.
The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1PEitwf ) reports the mayor's statement came after two days of protest against the plan at airport and zoning board meetings.
