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Dear John,
Words have failed me more than once this past week, but none of us can afford to stay silent.
Our families, neighbors, coworkers, friends – our communities – are being assaulted by federal enforcers on a scale that surpasses anything Los Angeles has experienced in my lifetime. Since the raids began this month, more than 500 people have been kidnapped from their workplaces [[link removed]] , hospitals [[link removed]] , sidewalks [[link removed]] , courthouses [[link removed]] , domestic abuse shelters [[link removed]] , churches [[link removed]] , their own homes – the list goes on.
David Huerta, President of SEIU USWW, was assaulted, arrested, detained, and charged with a federal felony – conspiracy to impede an ICE officer [[link removed]] – simply for placing his unarmed, unshielded body alongside a vehicle and exercising his First Amendment right to document law enforcement.
On the heels of his release last Monday, we then learned on Thursday that Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has launched an investigation into our partner organization, CHIRLA [[link removed]] , claiming that CHIRLA has “obstructed federal law enforcement, endangered public safety, and disrupted the rule of law.”
These criminal charges and accusations are lies, meant to distract us and the rest of the country from the crimes this administration is openly committing in our streets.
On Sunday, my family gathered to celebrate Father’s Day. I am so grateful for the sacrifices that my father made to build a life for my sister and me in Northeast LA. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a father to two sons, and even more so to have my parents and Juana’s with us as they learn and grow. But I’d be lying if I said I could enjoy Sunday when there are so many families whose fathers have been kidnapped, detained without representation, moved out of the city, state, and in some cases out of the country while their families have no idea where they are.
This is authoritarianism.
It will take all of us, working together, to support and protect each other. Here are some immediate resources to know your rights at home and at work – please share these resources far and wide:
* Know Your Rights Cards (EN/ES) [[link removed]] : what to do if you are stopped by law enforcement.


* Workplace Safety and Signage (EN/ES) [[link removed]] : how small businesses and other workplaces can help protect workers and customers from federal raids and kidnapping, with printable signs to label Employees/Clients Only [[link removed]] , Employees Only [[link removed]] , and Employees/Patient Only [[link removed]] areas.


* Worker and Family Readiness (EN) [[link removed]] / Preparación de los trabajadores y las familias (ES) [[link removed]] : a checklist to help make sure you are empowered and prepared, and a list of important documents to have on hand [[link removed]] .


* Additional video resources [[link removed]] to help prepare for and safely defend our rights during encounters with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
And, if you can, please consider donating to support CHIRLA [[link removed]] so they can continue their important work, and support CLUE’s Immigrant Bond Fund [[link removed]] to help those that have been detained.
We will not be returning to business as usual. I invite you to join us, and I will be reaching out soon with more opportunities to support and defend our loved ones and our city.
[[link removed]] Saludos y Adelante,
[[link removed]]
Víctor Sánchez
Executive Director, LAANE
LAANE is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to building a new economy for all. Combining dynamic research, innovative public policy and organizing of broad alliances, LAANE promotes a new economic approach based on good jobs, thriving communities, and a healthy environment.
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] www.laane.org [www.laane.org]

LAANE
464 Lucas Ave Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90017
United States
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