We keep us safe

By Abigail Jackson

 Public pressure works. Although the Trump administration continues to push violent and dangerous anti-immigrant rhetoric, the last week has shown that our consistent defiance is beginning to pay off. In San Diego, hundreds of community members banded together after ICE was seen raiding local restaurants; they surrounded the ICE agents, chanting, and peacefully herded them back to their unmarked vans–which they promptly re-entered and drove away. A Guatemalan man, identified in documents as O.C.G., has been returned to the U.S. after a judge ruled he had been abducted & shipped off to Mexico without due process. This is the first high-profile case in which the Trump administration has brought back someone who was illegally removed from the country after a judge ordered their return. A four-year-old girl with a life-threatening illness along with her family have had their humanitarian parole restored after public outcry from communities and legislators across the country. We must turn this moment into momentum and continue to fight for those who have been wrongfully detained and removed.

Standing up for trans rights. Last week, community organizations hosted LGBTQ+ youth day at the state capitol. This year, community members & organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights banded together to denounce Senator Ruben Gallego’s transphobic comments, and Governor Hobbs signing HB2112–which jeopardizes online access to medically accurate, identity-affirming, and life-saving information.

Arizona students fight back. Students from across Arizona gathered at the State Capitol to demand that our legislators protect students from the Trump administration’s attacks and funding cuts from AZ Republicans. Already in the last 6 months, we have seen the Trump administration escalate attacks on higher education by attempting to destroy the U.S. Department of Education and control who can attend institutions of higher education. In Arizona, we’ve seen bills that infringe on students’ rights such as HB2867, which is a direct attack on freedom of speech in our schools. HB2867’s content-based restrictions on speech would chill open discussion, put people at risk for sharing their views, and undermine academic freedom–but we still have an opportunity to stop it from going into effect.

We keep us safe. Join Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente Human Rights Movement for a “Solidarity Accompaniment” Rapid Response Volunteer Training—a community-powered effort to resist ICE violence and protect our neighbors. This collaborative training combines key trainings for community defense—Migra Watch, Solidarity Accompaniment, and Rapid Response—to prepare volunteers to monitor ICE activity, support individuals at risk of detention, and help keep families together. RSVP for the next training on Wednesday, June 11th from 6–7:30 PM and learn to observe, verify, accompany, and report—safely and effectively.

Protect free speech in schools. HB2867 just passed through the legislature last week; but we still have an opportunity to stop it from going into effect. HB2867 threatens students’ and educators’ First Amendment rights by creating content-based restrictions on speech—something courts have consistently ruled unconstitutional. The bill would punish those who express views critical of Israel, effectively silencing dissent and favoring one political perspective over others. This kind of censorship has no place in our public schools. HB2867 would only chill open discussion, put people at risk for sharing their views, and undermine academic freedom. Use this link to call Governor Hobbs and ask her to veto HB2867. Make sure to share with friends and loved ones to help mobilize our communities to take action.