Activists rallied once again outside Tweed New Haven Airport Thursday evening, to speak out against Avelo Airlines鈥� chartering of deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The protesters are boycotting the budget airline and have been rallying against the company鈥檚 actions for four months, with no end in sight. Their latest protest coincides with the fifth anniversary of Congressman John Lewis鈥� death, as similar protests occur around the country.
They say the legacies of the Civil Rights Movement, led in part by Lewis, continues to be an effective strategy to advance their cause, citing national protests against the airline, and Avelo announcing it would close down operations on the West Coast due to finances, which they say, proves they are making an impact.
The airline has not signaled it would end participating in the flights and continues to expand service.
John Selders, a bishop and co-leader of Moral Monday CT, spoke at the rally and said the boycott is in line with Lewis鈥� call for people to advocate for other people.
鈥淲e can use our economic power to affect your bottom line and your business ... as Congressman Lewis would say, that's some good trouble,鈥� Selders said.
The protests continue even as Avelo has announced plans to expand its East Coast operations through mid-February. The airline currently offers flights in 黑料吃瓜网 at Bradley International Airport in addition to Tweed New Haven Airport.
Lewis was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the 1960s and was a Freedom Rider, a group of civil rights activists who rode buses to the south to challenge segregation on buses, often risking their lives to protest segregation. Lewis suffered a fractured skull while being attacked during marches across the .
He would later become a congressman, and died in 2020. Stuart Baker, a protester, said Lewis鈥� legacy continues to inspire him.
鈥淚t happens to be the fifth anniversary of John Lewis's passing, so I'm here to make some good trouble,鈥� Baker said.
While service in the East Coast has been strong for the airline, service on the West Coast has failed in comparison. Avelo says it will end service to and from California because West Coast operations have not produced the results needed to continue service from that region.
Kica Matos, an immigration rights activist and president of the National Immigration Rights Center, said protestors should take credit for Avelo鈥檚 recent troubles, citing the protests have become a national boycott in other states.
鈥淭hat is because all of you have been fighting this fight, and I ask and encourage us to continue to wage this fight,鈥� Matos said. 鈥淭he financial pressure that we're putting on Avelo is being felt.鈥�
Avelo Airlines released a statement to 黑料吃瓜网 in regard to the protest which said in part, 鈥渨e recognize the right of individuals to peacefully assemble and assert their freedom of speech. Avelo's main priority continues to be maintaining the safety and timeliness of our operation that over 7.3 million customers across the country continue to enjoy.鈥�
