Various local bodies advocating for immigration rights, including the Immigrant Allies Forum, Indivisible Wilmington, and the Wilmington Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America took to the streets, particularly the path heading towards Wrightsville Beach. Their message to holidaymakers was simple – ‘consider your principles.’ The position they chose for the protest was strategic to maximize the reach of the awareness about the alliance Avelo established earlier this year with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate flights intended for deportation.
One protest organizer communicated that they are aware of the financial support Avelo has received from the county to promote destinations like Wilmington to potential tourists. Their objective was to ensure that air travellers were apprised of the fact that the inexpensive tickets offered by the airline might be the result of a compromise on human rights. The goal was to urge these tourists to think twice about their choices, and consider ‘flying their values’.
Avelo Airlines, a discount airline providing services to 23 states, established a new hub in Wilmington in the month of April. Since its inception, the city of Wilmington has presented a stage for numerous demonstrations. The inaugural protest against Avelo took place directly outside the airport in May, but the recent week heralded the combined national mission to strategically exert economic stress upon the airline post deal signing.
As the representative of a national movement, the local protest was a part of a series of demonstrations held across the United States wherever Avelo maintains a footing. One protest participant detailed, ‘Avelo Airlines is a commercial airlines. Unique amongst its competitors, it maintains a contract with ICE to conduct deportation flights from Arizona all the way to El Salvador. Our aim is to inform the people and encourage a total boycott of Avelo.’
While the topic of immigration might spark differing degrees of agreement and altering viewpoints might pose a challenge, advocates at both a local and national level desire passengers to reconsider their airline preference. One protestor voiced optimism about the progress of their cause, attesting, ‘the signs are positive, as some weeks back, Avelo ceased certain flights and reduced certain routes, not in Wilmington, but elsewhere in the U.S.’
Optimism abounds that these localized endeavors will orchestrate a significant transformation at the ground level. However, Avelo offers a contrary argument, defending their alliance with ICE as a means of maintaining financial stability.
A key member of a local advocacy group’s steering committee initiated a public records request with the New Hanover County Airport Authority. Following a few months of wait, the Deputy Airport Director responded, stating that Avelo hadn’t received any direct financing from the Airport Authority or been granted any budget modifications.
The Deputy Director also provided a copy of the standard leasing contract for Avelo, asserting that it is identical to those provided to all other airlines operating from ILM. He also shared the airport authority’s incentive program details, highlighting that it is open to all airlines.
After a lengthy exchange of emails, the Deputy Director confirmed that local marketing funds have indeed been used to promote both Avelo flights and the ILM Airport since Avelo’s commencement of operations.
The impact of Avelo’s operations has been substantial on the local economy. However, one protestor questioned this, stating that it was ‘difficult to align with the figure of $1.1 billion tourist spending in New Hanover County in 2023’.
In comparison, the total annual GDP for the county was less than $20 billion in the latest fiscal year. Therefore, the protestor found it tough to credit Avelo with such extensive economic activity.
In the protester’s view, these arguments bypass the actual moral concern: whether we should turn a blind eye to Avelo’s role in conducting deportation flights deemed illegal and cruel, just because their other ventures bring us profits.
The ethical challenge being proposed here goes beyond financial implications and delves into moral territory, asking whether the community is prepared to justify these deportation flights in light of the profits they enjoy from Avelo’s other businesses.
In essence, the voices raised in protest question the ethical cost we are willing to pay for economic benefits. Is there a limit to the moral price we attach to our financial gains, or will we continue to sanction these flights despite the humanitarian concerns they raise?
The ongoing protests against Avelo Airlines bring this crucial dilemma into sharp focus, challenging both the airline and its passengers to examine the ethical implications of their actions and choices.
The post Local Groups Protest Against Avelo’s Deportation Flights appeared first on Real News Now.
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