CLEARFIELD: Earlier this week, DuBoisLIVE reported on a planned “ICE Out of Clearfield” protest targeting the Moshannon Valley Processing Center near Philipsburg — the largest immigration detention facility in the northeastern United States, operated by GEO Group under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstration was scheduled to run from 12:PM to 4:PM Saturday at the Clearfield County Courthouse, and was framed as a nonpartisan call to examine constitutional, human-rights, and economic questions surrounding immigration detention and private prison contracts.

Since publication, significant new information has emerged that materially changes the context of the event.

Co-Sponsor Withdraws Over Nonviolence Concerns

Indivisible: Mayday, which had been publicly associated with the protest, has withdrawn from co-sponsorship. According to statements circulated internally and a manifesto later posted online, the local Indivisible: Mayday chapter and its national leadership raised concerns after the remaining organizer declined to commit to nonviolence and rejected coordination with local authorities or designated safety liaisons.

Indivisible: Mayday officials indicated that the refusal to affirm nonviolent conduct — coupled with rhetoric advocating escalation and anonymous, decentralized action — crossed organizational lines they consider essential for public demonstrations.

Manifesto Raises Alarms

The catalyst for the withdrawal was a lengthy, anonymously authored document published on noblogs.org and distributed as a “press release.” The document argues against what it calls “peace policing,” dismisses nonviolent protest as ineffective, and frames coordination with law enforcement as collaboration with authoritarian power. While the manifesto explicitly states that no violence was planned “by the state’s definition,” it also endorses disruption, escalation, and resistance tactics that Indivisible: Mayday leaders say risk public safety and legal consequences for participants.

The manifesto is unsigned. However, following Indivisible: Mayday’s exit, organizers identified the only remaining point of contact for the protest as a Clearfield-area woman identified publicly only as “Kathy.” Little additional, verifiable information about her background or organizing history has been made available.

Event May Proceed — Without Broad Coalition Support

As of this update, the protest has not been formally canceled and may still take place under the direction of the remaining organizer. However, it no longer carries the backing of Indivisible: Mayday or its national network, and it lacks the broader coalition structure initially described.

This shift marks a clear departure from the protest’s original presentation as a coordinated, nonviolent demonstration involving established advocacy organizations.

DuBoisLIVE Recommendation

Given the refusal of the sole remaining organizer to commit to nonviolence, the adoption of rhetoric encouraging escalation, and the withdrawal of a major co-sponsor over safety concerns, DuBoisLIVE recommends that community members DO NOT attend this event.

Peaceful protest has long been a protected form of civic engagement, but clarity of leadership, commitment to nonviolence, and transparent organizing are critical to ensuring participant safety and public trust. At present, those conditions are not clearly met.

Context Remains — Questions Continue

The underlying issues that prompted the original protest — including constitutional safeguards, detainee treatment, economic tradeoffs, and the role of private contractors like GEO Group — remain active subjects of debate in Clearfield County and beyond. County officials have previously emphasized the limited administrative role of local government in the Moshannon Valley contract, while critics continue to scrutinize detention practices nationally.

Those conversations are likely to continue through other forums, public meetings, and lawful advocacy efforts.

We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as new, verifiable information becomes available.

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