“we now know of at least *three* instances of ICE activity last week in NW D.C.” Protest Planned for 5:30pm in Columbia Heights

via Facebook

Thanks to all who messaged over the weekend. From ICE OUT of DC!! rally and community response:

“Today at 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Columbia Heights Fountain, 14th St & Park Rd NW

Last week, ICE conducted at least three raids in Northwest DC, including an apartment raid in Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights where they indiscriminately arrested any undocumented folks they could find. ICE agents ultimately detained nine people, including those who live in the building **as well as passersby on 16th Street.** ICE also entered a private home near Georgia Avenue and detained two people, and detained a person having dinner on 14th Street, reportedly with collusion from DC police.

For all of us – whether we’re people of faith, immigrants ourselves, or simply concerned residents – it’s our moral obligation to stand in support of our immigrant brothers and sisters who are such an integral part of our city – including the Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights and Petworth neighborhoods in particular. If DC claims to be a “sanctuary city” it cannot simply stand idly by while these assaults on our neighbors happen. We’ll be gathering at the Columbia Heights fountain (14th & Park) on Monday evening at 5:30pm in response. We’re rallying to support our immigrant neighbors AND to call on DC elected officials to publicly demand the release of all detained individuals, ensure they have legal counsel, and tell DC residents what their plan is to protect all of us from ICE’s cruelty and abuse of power.

The people who ICE detained are our neighbors — some of them came to DC to escape death threats in Honduras, while others fled poverty in Mexico. None of them deserve to be torn from their families and our community.

Our community gathering will start at 5:30pm and there will be a formal press conference at 6pm. Local organizations will be present to discuss the work they do with the immigrant community, and we’re inviting elected officials to come listen so they can hear from affected folks and local organizations.”