4 Things You Can Do Today To Stand Up For Immigrant Rights
We interrupt our regularly scheduled policy discussions with an acknowledgement that we are living in some pretty dark times.
U.S. wealth inequality just hit its widest gap in more than 3 decades, and Americans have less access to accurate information impacting their lives as journalism is gutted. We’ve watched the basic human and civil rights central to a democracy be assaulted by the very people tasked with protecting them. Even more gut-wrenching, we are living through one of the most vicious and racist purges of hard-working families, loved ones and neighbors in brazen and violent violations of law. It’s overwhelming. It’s exhausting. It’s scary.
But, as much as it can feel like it, it is not inevitable, and it is not hopeless. The people of Minneapolis showed the nation what a strong network of organized communities can do to fight back and take care of each other. There are a ton of incredible organizations working to educate and train SF Bay residents. They’re hosting know-your-rights trainings, training legal observers and court watchers, organizing mutual aid networks for immigrants and protesters alike, and putting pressure on elected Democrats to get off their asses and fight for us. Here’s just a small sampling of the work happening locally to stand up against the attacks on Black, Brown and immigrant San Franciscans, and four things you can do today to plug in.
We can all do something, no matter how small. If you see a great resource missing, please reach out to us and let us know!
First up: Prepare for the Present - Knowledge Is Power.
A reminder that NOW is the time to get trained up. Whether it’s plugging into a legal observer training near you or establishing your close friend/neighbor pod for crisis response, don’t wait to get organized. Spread empowerment, not rumors. Every Bay Area county has a Rapid Response Hotline – save them all in your phone, so no matter where you are, you have it at your fingertips.
A reminder that you always have the right to remain silent, and that you don’t have to open the door to federal officers without seeing a warrant signed by a judge.
If you see something going down, call your Rapid Response Hotline and use the SALUTE method to report specific details.
And take advantage NOW of the expertise of the incredible humans working night and day to train us up. (Think of it like Earthquake preparedness, where you’re packing your disaster bag full of water and batteries.) Get your neighbors together and organize a training for your building or friend group.
Here are the groups coordinating legal observer and know-your-rights trainings in SF Bay:
And here are groups creating emergency funds and mutual aid networks, for both immigrants and protesters:
Second: Demand More From Elected Leaders.
If it feels like our elected leaders aren’t doing enough – you’re right.
Legal experts and immigrant support groups have pulled together a list of demands that provide key points of advocacy to keep the pressure on those with the power to intervene. (There’s even been calls for an eviction moratorium ‘til ICE is out, which seems like a no-brainer!)
Check out the Immigrant Rights Agenda here, and ask your local representative if they’ve signed on to fight for it, especially as we approach a brutal budget season.
Third: Support Sanctuary Schools.
Breaking apart families is an intentional tactic being deployed by the far-right. It destabilizes communities, weakens our schools and guts our economy.
Here in the Bay Area, teachers and parents are supporting demands to protect immigrant teachers, students and their families in the face of brutal cuts. While their demands cover a host of pay equity and school investment demands, they have made immigrant rights a centerpiece of their campaign. You can learn more and sign the UESF pledge to support “Sanctuary Schools & Employer” demands, including a legal defense fund, emergency resource management and housing and shelter support.
Fourth: Don’t Feed the Beast.
Not everyone can afford to disengage from capitalism as protest.
But if you can live without ICE collaborators like HBO Max, Amazon or Hulu, then don’t give them any more of your money! Plus, you’ll be freeing up funds to donate to mutual aid efforts.
I know it can feel hopeless and that this destruction is inevitable. But we’re NOT powerless, and there ARE things we can be doing everyday to fight back – for and with each other. Get prepared, empowered and organized for the reality of today. See something missing you want to add? Let us know!
We take care of us.