Immigrant Communities Unite for Self-Defense
Unity and cooperation. The driving forces behind the joint immigrant rights workshop held last month at St. Patrick’s Church. Members of SOMCAN, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Causa Justa/Just Cause, and St. Patrick’s gathered together to share information and resources amidst growing concerns relating to the targeting and criminalization of immigrants under the Trump administration.
Attendees found answers to questions that many of us are facing:
What should I do if approached by ICE?
What information and documents should I gather for my family right now?
What networks can I connect to so that I am not alone?
Immigration lawyers were on hand for anyone seeking individual consultation regarding their situation. Also offering resources were members of San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network, a collaboration of citywide organizations providing free and low-cost legal services.
Since 1989, San Francisco has been officially declared a “Sanctuary City.” The "City and County of Refuge" Ordinance (also known as the “Sanctuary” Ordinance), prohibits using City funds or resources to assist the enforcement of federal immigration law. Following the emergence of a federal agenda that’s intent on demonizing, seizing and deporting immigrants in an effort to dismantle the protections and naturalization provisions initiated within recent years, “sanctuary” becomes more important than ever.
No matter who we are or what we call ourselves, we all have inherent human rights, and those rights are now under grave threat. Father Roberto "Obet" Andrey of St. Patrick’s explained: “It is necessary to create a network to help and reach the most vulnerable in the community: families and children.” In a call-to-action to his parishioners, he reminded them that Jesus said: “I was a stranger and you took me in.” His plans for St. Patrick’s include recruiting and training a network of “first responders” to support the local immigrant community.
On Thursday, May 25th from 6:30-9:30pm at the Bayanihan Community Center, SOMCAN is endorsing a know-your-rights workshop hosted by Migrante SoMa-Tenderloin. Attorneys from Liberation Law Group will lead a presentation on immigrants and workers rights, followed by an interactive roleplay with the Granny Cart Gangstas. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
