Protestors call for change at Indio’s Detention Center; why they believe a portion of the facility should be used for the unhoused

“We're here to call attention to this $340 million facility that is half empty while people are dying and having to go the emergency room," said Starting Over Strong Operations Director, Nathan Kempe. "There have been over four dozen deaths in the last four years, and over 300 emergency room visits by the unhoused. We want them to change it to a cooling center so that we can have services for the unhoused, so they can receive meals, so they can have testing for covid 19 and be vaccinated."