On October 25, more than 70 people joined our league at The Intersection of Immigration and Criminal Justice for a community conversation about the implications of the federal government’s current approach to immigration. Please read the Sunday articles covering the event in Chico Sol and the Enterprise-Record for more details.

The panel of civic leaders and advocates for justice provided many insights into the current situation and a long list of suggestions about how to respond, including:

•        Donate time and money to make food and resources available to people in need, like the free food card distribution initiative shown in the flyer at the end of this update.
•        VOTE in elections and with your dollars.
•        Support local groups that organize and are active in the community.
•        Participate in programs that alert neighborhoods and communities about the presence of ICE, such as Migrawatch, sponsored by NorCal Resist. 
•        Contact your elected representatives to express your concerns.
•        Support candidates who want to protect people’s rights.
•        Inform and educate yourself and your neighbors about what is happening and humanizing the individuals who are being targeted.
•        March with joy, peace and connection like we did on No Kings Day.
•        Show up as you are with whatever you can do -- get involved any way that makes sense to you.

Thanks to Margaret Swick, Lois Olsen, Sue Griffin, Toni Reid, Victoria Houchin, Linda Lunsford, Sandi Shand, Nicole Drummond, and all the other volunteers who helped make this program a huge success.  We also appreciate the support and hospitality afforded by our friends at Saint John’s Episcopal Church.

And from our panelists:

“Elimination of due process for anyone is eventually elimination of due process for everyone.”

Maitreya Badami, CSU Chico

“This is no longer an immigration issue.  It’s a democracy issue.”

                                                              Leslie Layton, Chico Sol

“Think of what you can do for the children – foster care, family support, community support.”       

                                                              Tami Ritter, Butte County Supervisor

“NorCal Resist provides direct action and direct support to the community. Volunteers repair brake lights, headlights, turn signals, any device on people’s cars that might give the police probable cause to pull you over.”

                                                                Juan  Araujo, NorCal Resist

“Watching the Trump administration take actions that dehumanize people, take away our rights, start eroding the constitution, my heart says no.  I will not stand by and let this happen, and that comes from my heart.”

                                                                 LeAnne Jenswold, ReSisters

Link to Article in Chico Sol:

Immigration crackdown produces fear among students

Link to Article in Chico Enterprise Record: 

League of Women Voters dives into immigration, criminal justice