FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2019
California Rapid Response Networks Stand in Solidarity Against Trump’s Hateful Rhetoric
The recent remarks by the President are the latest attempt to sow panic among immigrants in this country, and use fear as a weapon against our communities. As Rapid Response Networks, we stand united in reminding all Californians to respond with power, not panic in the face of such inflammatory rhetoric and reckless hate.
It is also important that every person who calls California home know their basic constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and the right not to open their door. We urge anyone who witnesses potential ICE activity to verify information before posting on social media. Direct witnesses should call the rapid response hotline for your county (numbers are available here).Our networks will continue to monitor ICE activity and provide updates with respect to enforcement and arrests.
There is power in solidarity and coordination. We remind members of our community that rapid response hotlines are available to report ICE activity, and local organizations and advocates are ready to assist families with emergency preparedness planning and legal assistance.
During this period it is important that we remember that sensationalist rhetoric and fear mongering are a tactic of this Presidency, and do not necessarily correspond to reality or policy. Spreading fear and panic feeds into the arsonist agenda of this administration and diminishes our collective strength. Instead we must continue to stay prepared and focus on our collective goals of justice and dignity for all.
We know that ICE has gone to great lengths in California to find bed space following the closure of multiple facilities used by the agency to separate families. Their desperate attempts to expand detention have included blatant collusion with private companies to circumvent California state law. We will continue to stand united in defending our communities and exposing the injustice and lies of ICE and this administration.
Signatories
California Rapid Response Steering Committee
Orange County Rapid Response Network
California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ)
Los Angeles Raids Rapid Response Network
Valley Watch Network (Central Valley)
Faith In The Valley
Monterey County Rapid Response
Rapid Response Network of Monterey County
Sacramento FUEL Network
North Bay Rapid Response Network Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties
Rapid Response Network in Santa Clara County
Stand Together Contra Costa
Your Allied Rapid Response (YARR) Santa Cruz
Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership
Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Long Beach Community Defense Network
Sacramento Rapid Response Network
Pajaro Valley Rapid Response
Stand Together Contra Costa