About 150 people - including local clergy members and immigrant rights advocates -- held a protest at the entrance of Tweed New Haven Airport Monday. It was timed to coincide with Avelo Airlines' first chartered deportation flight, which departed from Mesa, Arizona at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Tweed New Haven is a regional hub for Avelo, though as of now, no deportation flights are known to be leaving from the airport.

"We stand with all of our marginalized communities in saying that everyone has a right to due process," said Pastor Kelcy Steele, of Varick Memorial Church, who was among the protesters.

Another protester, Tree Rieger, of Meriden, said she took part in the event "as a matter of conscience." "There's strength in numbers. Don't wait for someone to come save us. They're not coming. It's 'we the people.' We have to band together. We have to do this as one," Rieger said.

Avelo released the following statement:

"We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 Crewmembers employed for years to come," the carrier said.