Kidnapping our Neighbors, Unleashing the Military on Cities Is Harmful, Dangerous Political Theater

Dēmos President Taifa Smith Butler released the following statement regarding ICE raids in Los Angeles and across the country and the Trump administration’s subsequent militarized escalation against the right to free speech: 

"Harmful rhetoric and outright lies are being spread about immigrant communities to justify weaponizing the government against its people."

“Right now, hosts of people in Los Angeles and beyond are taking a stand against injustice and protesting in defense of our friends and neighbors, as is our constitutional right. Harmful rhetoric and outright lies are being spread about immigrant communities to justify weaponizing the government against its people. Snatching people off the streets, from their workplaces and schools, and disappearing them to jails and detention centers in other countries without due process is also unconstitutional and a blatant failure of justice. 

"Make no mistake; this is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation and is conducive to an administrative state and extreme overreach."

 The Trump administration unleashing the military within our borders, directly threatens our families and our communities. Make no mistake; this is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation and is conducive to an administrative state and extreme overreach. People have a fundamental right to make their voices heard and to reject this assault on our rights.   

Generations of Americans, and Black people in particular, have engaged in peaceful demonstrations to safeguard our right to speak up and hold our leaders to account. No military or authoritarian leader has the right to change that, or to intimidate residents, institutions, or elected officials who disagree with them. This is anti-democratic and unconstitutional.  

 Promoting chaos and sowing division between communities does nothing to improve people’s lives. We will defend our right to speak up and demand government policies that truly work for all.”  

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Dēmos is a non-profit public policy organization working to build a just, inclusive, multiracial democracy and economy. We work hand in hand to build power with and for Black and brown communities, forging strategic alliances with grassroots and state-based organizations.