by Nooriel Nolan, Concerned Parent, UF Alumni, Alachua County Resident
Most Floridians subscribe to a Christian faith, and deem that faith to be very important. So, let us lean on the tenant of sanctuary (“a place of refuge or safety”) at this moment. Churches have a long history of being safe spaces (for immigrants and others) serving as havens. And refuge is desperately needed right now, as safety is being stripped away from our communities.
ICE raids have escalated in cities across our nation targeting thousands of vulnerable people, ignoring lack of criminal histories, warrants, and violating sanctuary locations – courthouses, schools and places of worship – previously protected. Federal “Agents” are operating outside of their legal authority, stopping anyone and demanding to see papers, targeting families and even using young children as “bait” (as we saw with little Liam Ramos, age S) taking parent and child to detention facilities in other states! Peaceful protestors coming to the aid of their neighbors have been assaulted and even executed for exercising their constitutional rights. ICE’s goal is intimidation. They want us too afraid to help our neighbors. And don’t be fooled, ICE is right here in our community too! They are taking our neighbors!
WE THE PEOPLE must become a sanctuary. Each of us has a personal obligation to prepare to defend one another. Each of us must say, “This is not constitutional; we will not capitulate.” Every person is guaranteed due process under the law (migrants too!) TAKE ACTION: Contact the state, city, and university police departments, demand they end their 287G Agreement NOW! They are not legally required to be in a 287G agreement! Call your state & local reps to demand an end to 287G in Alachua county! These agreements are racial profiling and are not what our community represents!
We know our neighbors & coworkers, and their children who attend school with ours. They are hardworking, tax-paying, contributing members of society – artists, educators, healthcare professionals, farmers, construction workers, and many more occupations. Regardless of their various immigration statuses, they are productive citizens, and fellow parents doing their best to survive and thrive.
Let’s continue supporting and cultivating the diversity that makes #AlachuaCountyStrong, that makes these United States better. Each of us can become the heroes in this story. By supporting each other we make our community safer for everyone. The diversity of our community {local and national) has always been our strength … and liberty and justice, a commitment to all.
Contact your representatives (remind them they work for us):
www.flhouse.gov
www.flsenate.gov