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Rally backs jailed Uyghur activist

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Broome County Jail to support a detained Chinese immigrant, according to WIVT.


Supporters traveled from New York City and Ithaca to rally for Guan Heng, a 37-year-old Uyghur rights activist held at the jail since August. Organizers said Heng fled China and sought asylum after exposing alleged abuse against the Uyghur minority.

The demonstration came the same day as Heng’s virtual immigration court hearing. Prosecutors introduced plans to deport him to Uganda, a country his supporters say he has no ties to.

Advocates argued ICE wrongly detained Heng while he pursued asylum and warned deportation could put him in danger.