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Friend, "Democracy is under assault right before our eyes," Governor Gavin Newsom said.(1) It couldn't be more true today. Not only has Donald Trump deployed nearly 5,000 troops against his own people in Los Angeles, but today, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley threatened Courage California partner, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), with a criminal investigation falsely accusing them of organizing and funding the protests against ICE abductions.(2) And when United States Senator from California Alex Padilla tried to question Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the use of armed forces in our state, he was forcibly removed from the room and handcuffed.(3) Friend, CHIRLA is an essential advocate on the ground, organizing immediate assistance to communities hostilely raided and violated by ICE and the military, including legal representation and shelter. They need your help in this moment.
The arrival of federalized soldiers on California’s streets was a way to deliberately escalate the tensions between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the peaceful protesters standing up for the Constitutional rights of their friends and neighbors, with more than 150 people arrested.(4) And as this performative military occupation continues, it is only getting worse. While the media attention is on the use of tear gas and flash bangs against the protesters, Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has authorized the military to assist ICE agents in immigration raids and detain U.S. Citizens, practically guaranteeing the risk of increased violence and threatening lives. More than 300 immigrants have been detained in just a few days since the deployment.(5) This is why CHIRLA is so important. The trusted organization has essential legal services and advocacy that safeguard immigrant rights, ensuring that vulnerable California communities have a voice and a support system. Now, Trump's government is persecuting CHIRLA for this essential work. This is a witch hunt. Let’s be clear: no law has been invoked allowing the military to participate in immigration sweeps, but Trump and Hegseth do not care.(6) California has forcefully rejected the use of its own National Guard on the streets, but Trump and Hegseth do not care.(7) And in a case where the executive branch of the government is flouting the will of the people and infringing on states’ rights, we must protect those most vulnerable ourselves. Thank you for being with us! –Irene, along with Annie, Angela, Isidra, Cecilia, Jen, and Lindsay (the Courage team) Footnotes:  |
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