In his first week in office, Omaha Mayor John Ewing Junior issues a statement on the CWS and ICE protests this weekend.
"The road to Omaha, whether for college baseball or First Amendment-protected speech, should first and foremost be safe. That is the City of Omaha’s priority.
Omahans can both celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NCAA Men’s College World Series, while being good hosts to our guests and fans gathering downtown and manage peaceful protests that are planned.
My message to everyone is this: We all want to assemble safely. Fans should know that Omaha police have plans in place to let peaceful protests occur without obstruction to the game. Protesters should know that in order for their voices to be heard, they must follow the law and demonstrate peacefully. We are thankful for how peacefully protesters in Omaha have handled reaction to the ICE raid so far. Acts of violence or vandalism will not be tolerated and frankly hurt any message protesters want to give.
To reiterate what Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said yesterday: As with every series, there will be a strong and visible law enforcement presence in and around the stadium. This enhanced deployment is part of our standard operations and reflects our commitment to ensuring that the College World Series remains a safe and enjoyable experience for all — residents, visitors, and participants alike.
We appreciate the cooperation of the public and look forward to another successful and secure series."
(Picture from City of Omaha)