CAMP BLANDING – Although it was nearly 100 degrees and Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was holding off on a plan to build a detention center for illegal migrants at Camp Blanding, several hundred still attended a planned protest by the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance Saturday across the main gate of the training center.

And law enforcement was prepared.

Members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office were supported by Fire Rescue and deputies from other county agencies, as well as the Florida Highway Patrol, to ensure order at the Florida National Guard post.

According to Sheriff Michelle Cook’s social media page: “Pray for the best … Prepare for the worst. Today members of the CCSO and several partner agencies worked the 700+ person protest in front of Camp Blanding. We had no major issues.”

Heat took its toll as Fire Rescue transported one protester who suffered a heat-related issue.

Many of the signs used by those protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation of illegal migrants repeated familiar talking points like immigrants being caged, held and deported without due process and No Kings in America. Many passing drivers honked their horns in support or disagreement with the protest.

The front gates of Camp Blanding were closed and blocked by law enforcement vehicles, and protesters were forced to the north side of State Road 16. They lined the roadway from County Road 215 to the front gate, about three-quarters of a mile.

 CCSO used drones and cameras to monitor the assembled crowd and stay ahead of any potential problems.

Two weeks ago, DeSantis said he was postponing plans for creating a center to hold as many as 2,000 illegal migrants at Camp Blanding until all of the 3,000 beds at Alligator Alcatraz in South Florida are filled.