Several protesters were injured and at least one was taken to a hospital after a uniformed correctional superviser drove a truck into a line of protesters who were intentionally blocking the staff parking lot exit at the Wyatt Detention Facility, a news release from the protest's organizers said.

CENTRAL FALLS — Several protesters were injured and at least one was taken to a hospital after a uniformed correctional superviser drove a truck at a line of demonstrators who were intentionally blocking the staff parking lot exit at the Wyatt Detention Facility, a news release from the protest organizers said.

The release from Never Again Providence said about 600 people had protested peacefully against the facility's use to detain immigrants and asylum seekers. After most of the protest was over, about a dozen protesters formed a line to block the exit of the staff parking lot.

The officer steered toward them, the release said. As protesters tried to stop the truck from hitting them, the news release said, "several other correctional officers descended on the crowd and pepper sprayed dozens of protesters." Amy Anthony, a spokesperson for Never Again Providence, provided more details in an email, saying that a truck swerved into a line of about a dozen protesters who were blocking one of the staff parking lot entrances. "The truck struck about five people, knocking some over. At least two people who were struck by the truck were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries."

“This is why we’re here,” said former state Rep. Aaron Regunberg, who had spoken at the protest. “If they’ll use this kind of violence on us, think about what the defenseless detainees inside are subjected to every day.”