Un Momento 7-25 I.C.E. vs. the Community

By Victoria Ross

La injusticia en cualquier lugar es una amenaza para la
justicia en todas partes/Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywlere.
—Rev. Dr. Martin King

I.C.E. – Immigration & Customs Enforcement- is acting illegally and is on the attack in a way that is truly shocking.
Agents in masks are coming, with no identifying badges or numbers, and kidnap ping people without due process. I.C.E. agents are active both in the city – on both the East Side and West Side of Buffalo, and throughout the countryside. taking people and incarcerating them without notice or due process.

Some of these people are citizens. Some are fully compliant with asylum requests and are pursuing their asylum cases with due respect for the law. I.C.E. agents however are showing no respect for the law. In fact. when I.C.E. agents show up and take or attempt to take someone to incarceration in a detention facility, using unmarked vehicles and hiding their identity, we begin to feel the tightening grip around our necks This is what an authoritarian dictatorship looks like.

Indeed, fascist governments such as the Third IMMIGRATION BUILTTHIS NATION Reich Nazis in Germany did and do the same. Perhaps the only reason my father survived was that he was forced to flee so early on (1933, as a 15-year-old because he was such a radical) and was out of the country before these terrible practices became even more widespread. Last month the WNY Peace Center’s Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC)’s monthly coffeehouse was I.C.E. vs. Buffalo, with reporter J. Dale Shoemaker sharing what he’s learned about our government’s illegal acts and disinformation on the topic. This month the topic is further explored in I.C.E. vs. Farms & Workers on Monday, July 28, 7pm, in the Canisius University Math & Science building lounge (at Main & Jefferson).

Jim Bittner, a local farmer, will talk about how the farmers need their farm workers! When crops aren’t harvested, when people are afraid to go out of their houses, when parents go missing and children are traumatized, we all pay! All are welcome to the coffeehouse and discussion! Last month was standing room only- you should come early if you want to get a seat! (Light refreshments are also on hand.) The fact that I.C.E. agents are abducting people who are going to court in accordance with legal requirements just shows how rabid these authoritarian efforts are as does deporting U.S. citizens and refusing to enforce returns for those illegally deported. We must stand up for each other!!

The erosion of our already very limited democracy is a frightening tun of events. We’re all in this together. #sisepuede #juntos!!! Heads up re Elbows UP! A continuation of soli darity events with Canada will be held on August 16 at Beaver Island State Park. The cross-border solidarity will be as inspiring and energizing as it was last time!! Check out wnvpeace.org for more events, campaigns, and ways to support each other (including more Peacekeeper Trainings coming soon!) Millon de gracias!! Solidaridad!!