In response to intense community pressure, private for-profit prison company The GEO Group, Inc. formally withdrew its request to rezone land in Gary, IN, to build an 800-bed immigration detention center. The victory was the result of powerful community organizing by NWI Federation of Interfaith Organizations, Black Lives Matter NWI - Gary, and 219 MIGHT. It was the 4th failed private prison proposal in the Chicagoland region - community opposition made the difference each time.
Progress Illinois: Gary Mayor Pulls Support For Immigrant Detention Center Proposal (November 12, 2015)
The Times of Northwest Indiana: Region residents remain on alert for future GEO plans (November 15, 2015)