(AI generated image)

Written by Wendy Millstine

This is what a fear-based nation looks like.

Imagine heavily armed men in masks jumping out of vehicles and coming after you.
Imagine being blocked in by ICE agents in front of your workplace.
Imagine having to show your ID or immigration papers at any given time.
Imagine having a gun pulled on you while you scramble to find your papers.
Imagine any hesitation or wrong words or wrong movement could result in being pinned to the ground violently.
Imagine how your chest or breasts would feel being smashed into the pavement.
Imagine being forced into an unmarked vehicle and not knowing where you’re going.
Imagine not being read your rights.
Imagine, based on the color of your skin or your accent, you are too scared to go to the hospital when you’re so sick you might die for fear of ICE.
Imagine that any public place is no longer safe. And no one can keep you safe.

Because of ICE assaults on immigrants,
people everywhere are signing up for witness and support trainings
to try to make some small difference
in the lives of communities under attack.

Because of ICE assaults on immigrants,
we watch with dread as our fellow human beings
are dragged, beaten, and kidnapped
so ICE agents can make their quotas
and collect their bonuses.

Because of ICE assaults on immigrants,
families are ripped apart
children are left parentless
people are left too scared and too terrified
to do their normal routines.
Immigrants stop shopping
Immigrant children stop going to school
Foreign students can’t attend protests
Foreign tourists cancel their trips to America.

Because of ICE assaults on immigrants,
nowhere is safe.
Even if an immigrant has no criminal record,
he or she or they could be deported
to unknown destinations and stripped of due process.

Because of ICE assaults on immigrants,
heavily armed, masked agents
stalk our streets
steal our humanity
decapitate our justice system
and destroy hope…
if we let them.

For me, the only way out of this big awful terror
is through community support and solidarity.
Some of us are learning the true meaning of “mutual aid” for the first time.
Mutual aid means neighbors helping neighbors,
sharing what we have so everyone has enough.

You don’t have to feel immobilized.
You don’t have to have all the solutions or know all the answers.
Local immigrant communities are offering trainings
on how best to defend and protect immigrants.
Workshops for resistance are sprouting up everywhere.
Guidelines for safe and peaceful organizing are available
in person and online across the nation.

There is a buzz in the air
with chants for “know your rights” where hope and resistance can be felt.
Will you join me?
Together we can stand with empathy, compassion, and love
to rebuild peace and safety for everyone.

—

Resource:
Visit North Bay Rapid Response for more info & trainings on
protecting the rights of immigrants
from the predatory actions of ICE.