Several community organizations, such as the Immigrant Support Coalition, ResistWilmington, and the Wilmington Chapter of the People’s Social Union, staged a demonstration on the route to popular holiday spot Wrightsville Beach. Their message to travelers was to ‘align their actions with their beliefs.’ A coordinator for the demonstration explained that they selected this site to maximize traveler exposure to Avelo’s deal signed earlier this year with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation flights.
The spokesperson pointed out that Avelo had received county funds for promoting Wilmington and other destinations, intending to attract tourists. Yet, they wanted travelers to understand that even though they get a cheaper flight, the hidden cost could be great in terms of human rights injustice. Avelo Airlines, a low-cost carrier, operates in 23 states throughout the U.S.
Avelo Airlines initiated its operations in Wilmington in April. Ever since then, the city has witnessed several demonstrations. The initial protest against Avelo took place directly in front of the main airport in May, but this week, a national campaign was launched to impose commercial pressures on the airline after it agreed to the deal.
The same spokesperson explained that this campaign is now nationwide, and today’s protests are part of this larger movement. These protests are planned in multiple cities where Avelo has its operations. One of the demonstrators explained that Avelo, a commercial airline, is the only one to have signed a contract with ICE to operate deportation flights, flying from Arizona to El Salvador.
The message that the demonstrators want to get across is that people should boycott the airline. While immigration remains a divisive issue, and it may be challenging to change people’s perspectives, advocates across the country are urging people to consider choosing a different airline.
According to one protestor, their efforts appear to be bearing fruit. A few weeks earlier, Avelo discontinue some of its routes, scaled back some of its operations, not in Wilmington but in other parts of the country. The hope among the local demonstrators is that their efforts will have considerable impacts locally.
In defense of its cooperation with ICE, Avelo stated the need to ensure its financial security. A representative from the steering committee of one of the protester groups, submitted a public records request to the New Hanover County Airport Authority.
After a two-month wait, the information from the Deputy Airport Director revealed that no official allocation from the Airport Authority had been made in Avelo’s favor, nor were there any approved budget amendments for the airline. The response included a copy of Avelo’s standard lease agreement used by all airlines operating at ILM and details about the Authority’s incentive program available to all airlines.
However, after several exchanges, it was confirmed that local marketing funds were invested in the promotion of Avelo flights and ILM Airport after the start of Avelo operations. There’s no denying that Avelo has significantly influenced the local economy since commencing operations.
However, a protestor identified a dilemma: despite reported total tourism spending in New Hanover County amounting to $1.1 billion in 2023, and the county’s annual GDP being less than $20 billion in the previous fiscal year, attributing much of this economic activity to Avelo seems far-fetched.
He made a valid point, ‘Are we ready to turn a blind eye to Avelo’s involvement in deportation flights, deemed unlawful and inhumane, simply because we benefit from their commercial ventures? Are we willing to let these unethical practices continue under our watch, just to ensure our monetary gains?’
This conversation is important because the ultimate question remains – how far are we willing to compromise our ethics for economic benefit? And more broadly, what value do we place on our moral code if we are prepared to enable these deportation flights to continue?
The post Community Groups Protest Avelo’s Partnership with ICE appeared first on Real News Now.
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