UPDATE: The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially launched an urgent investigation into a federal agent accused of violently slamming a protester to the ground during a demonstration in Durango on July 11, 2023. This shocking incident, which has drawn widespread outrage, will determine if any state criminal laws were violated.
Witnesses report that the agent aggressively grabbed Franci Stagi’s phone and threw her to the ground outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office. The protest was aimed at the controversial arrest of a father and his two children, who were detained as they were on their way to school that Monday morning. The family, reported to be undocumented, has sparked a heated debate about immigration enforcement and community safety.
The CBI confirmed that its investigation will focus solely on the use of force against Stagi and will be submitted to the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, led by Sean Murray, for potential criminal charges. The agency will not provide further comments until the investigation is completed.
Video footage of the incident has gone viral, inciting calls for accountability from local officials and community members. Durango Police Chief Brice Current requested the CBI’s involvement to ensure an independent review of the actions taken during the protest. Local leaders have expressed deep concern over federal agents’ handling of peaceful demonstrators, with Mayor Gilda Yazzie condemning the use of force as “just terrible” and highlighting the police department’s limited options in responding to federal authority.
The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners released a statement expressing their “deeply concerned” stance, advocating for transparency and accountability regarding federal actions. Commissioner Marsha Porter Norton emphasized the need for respect for residents’ First Amendment rights, stating, “The images, videos and accounts from this week have affected many people in our community.”
In a special meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. today at City Hall, Chief Current will present details about the protest and the escalating conflict outside the ICE field office in Bodo Industrial Park. Community members are urged to attend and share their thoughts on how to respond to the violence and concerns raised by the incident.
Local elected officials, including U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, have also reacted strongly to the events, criticizing ICE’s actions during the arrest of the asylum-seeking family. Hickenlooper described the situation as “another overreach from an agency pulling people off the streets,” while Bennet highlighted the inhumane treatment of families and called for a reversal of cruel immigration policies.
As the investigation unfolds, residents of Durango are left grappling with the implications of federal enforcement actions and their impact on local communities. The CBI’s findings will be closely monitored, as they could lead to significant legal and social ramifications for federal agents involved in the incident.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge.