Public Statement from George Retes
Public Statement from George Retes, the Army Disabled Veteran, who was wrongfully detained by ICE:
My name is George Retes. I’m a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran, a U.S. citizen, and I currently work as a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California.
On July 10th, I was wrongfully detained by ICE agents while simply trying to report to work. I was pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, had my car window smashed, and was dragged from my vehicle at gunpoint — despite being nonviolent and doing nothing wrong.
I clearly identified myself as a U.S. citizen and an employee of the farm, yet federal agents ignored my statements, yelled conflicting commands, and used excessive force to detain me. I was held in custody for three days — without charges, without a phone call, and without access to legal counsel. I was never told why I was arrested, nor was I given basic medical care, even though I was covered in tear gas and OC spray for days.
No one — especially not a veteran who has served this country — should be treated this way. I broke no laws. I was simply trying to go to work.
What happened to me wasn’t just a mistake. It was a violation of my civil rights. It was excessive force. It was a complete failure of justice.
I’m speaking out not just for myself, but for every American who could have found themselves in my position that day.
I’m calling for a full investigation into the actions of ICE and all agencies involved in this operation. I want the agents who violated protocol and used force against me to be held accountable. And I want the public to know the truth: this raid didn’t just target immigrants — it harmed American citizens too.
I will not remain silent.
I served this country with honor.
Now, I’m demanding that it do right by me.
Reading George Retes's public statement truly shook me to my core. I mean, an Army veteran and a U.S. citizen, just trying to go to work, gets wrongfully detained by ICE? It's beyond comprehension. His account of being pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, and literally dragged from his vehicle at gunpoint, despite being nonviolent, highlights a deeply disturbing use of excessive force. I can't even begin to imagine the fear and frustration he must have felt. What really stood out to me is how he was held for three days without any charges, denied a phone call, and, shockingly, not given basic medical care after being covered in irritants. This isn't just a mistake; it sounds like a blatant violation of fundamental civil rights. As George himself points out, no one, especially someone who has served our country, should endure such treatment. When I hear about things like this, it makes me seriously question the checks and balances in place and how we ensure accountability for government agencies. It's a stark reminder that even those who've sacrificed for our nation aren't always safe from such arbitrary actions. For anyone wondering about the legal side, as the queries suggest, incidents like George's often lead to calls for a thorough investigation and potential legal action, such as a lawsuit. When a U.S. citizen's rights are violated by federal agents – specifically the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable seizures and the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of due process – there are legal avenues to seek redress. Filing a civil rights lawsuit can not only compensate victims but also drive systemic change and ensure that those responsible are held to account. It’s about demanding justice and upholding the principles our veterans fought to defend. This whole situation also made me think about personal safety and rights. If you're ever in a similar situation, it's crucial to calmly assert your rights, like clearly stating you are a U.S. citizen, asking for legal counsel, and not resisting. However, as George's story painfully shows, even doing all the 'right' things doesn't always prevent such terrifying encounters. His courage to not remain silent and demand that his country 'do right by him' is incredibly powerful. It really makes you think about how vulnerable any of us can be. His experience serves as a stark reminder that these issues aren't just abstract legal concepts; they impact real people with profound consequences. It urges us all to stay informed, advocate for justice, and support those who bravely speak out against injustice. We need to ensure that the promise of liberty and justice isn't just for some, but for all, especially for those who have honored us with their service. It's our collective responsibility to ensure such violations are exposed and addressed.
@TJ here's a first-hand account from a veteran for you since I have to do your work for you