Cleon Ortille Williams, better known as Uncle Lou of the longtime Mills 50 music venue Uncle Lou’s, is currently in Orange County jail under an immigration hold with no criminal charges.
Williams was booked into Orange County Corrections Facility Saturday night, according to the department.
A planned metal show on Saturday night at Lou’s was abruptly moved to Grumpy’s next door that same day. Video currently being shared on social media shows Williams being taken into custody at Lou’s, with what appears to be ICE agents telling patrons to leave the bar.
Orlando Rep. Anna V. Eskamani shared on social media Sunday morning that “Full transparency that I am trying to learn more but as of last night Uncle Lou (@louslmga) is in the Orange County Jail with no criminal charges and an ICE hold. This likely means he will be transported to an ICE facility soon.”
The underground music venue and bar Uncle Lou’s has served as an incubator and proving ground for local and touring bands and performers for nearly two decades. The intimate Mills 50 mainstay may be a relatively stripped-down space, but the PA is loud and there’s always someone new to hear. It’s this good-natured “anything goes” spirit, personified by Williams, that has defined Uncle Lou’s and boosted the louder sectors of Orlando music for years.
“In a seemingly endless sea of vacuous sterile concrete nothing, Uncle Lou and his Entertainment Hall has always provided a haven for us Central Florida creatives to fail better. I’m gutted, but resolved to join the community in fighting this any and every way we can,” Brian Costello of Future Bartenderz, a regular performer and attendee at Uncle Lou’s shows, told Orlando Weekly.
At the time of publication, further information on Williams’ status in unavailable, though there will be fundraising efforts in the very near future.
Update 7 p.m.: “I just met with Lou. No immigration attorney has been in touch yet,” posted local workers’ compensation attorney Andy Hess on social media (and reiterated to OW) Sunday. “He wants everyone to know he loves you all so much. He desperately wants to stay here. The community means everything to him. Orlando changed his life. We need an immigration attorney to act before he is transferred, which is likely tomorrow [Monday]”
Additionally Rep. Maxwell Frost has made content with Williams’ family and is working with Rep, Eskamani to get more information on Williams’ status.
This is a developing story. We will add more information as/when we are able.
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