Press release from Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción (CIMA):
Asheville, NC (April 19, 2018) –
CIMA is calling on residents of WNC to peacefully gather at an outdoor celebration hosted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at The Park at Flat Rock, 55 Highland Golf Dr, Flat Rock, NC 28731 on Friday, April 20th at 11am. The community plans to gather to express their deep disapproval after a week of devastating detentions and deportations led by the federal agency. Since this past Saturday morning, ICE agents stormed Latinx communities across Western North Carolina leaving people traumatized and an estimated 25 people taken into custody. This follows a full week of similar operations across North Carolina that have created chaos and terror throughout the state. The impact of ICE activity of this duration and intensity is far reaching with many families going into hiding to avoid the of risk being taken from their homes. Bruno Hinojosa, CIMA Coordinator states:
“This is such an insensitive and inhumane expression of celebration in the face of such deep community trauma. Witnessing this event is not meant to be a confrontation or direction action, but an opportunity to peacefully gather and demonstrate WNC’s collective pain and organized resistance. We will not confront or attack these people but merely show them there are real people on the other side of their actions. We do not find this horrific week worth celebrating.”
ICE agents have been detaining people driving through their neighborhoods; while visiting community health centers; and simply leaving for work in the morning. Organizers throughout the area have been working since the launch of this week’s ICE operation to ensure that people are aware of their rights; to connect families with legal representation; to provide support for their basic needs; and to quell reports and rumors of ICE activity. Still, the terror instilled by this latest wave of immigration detentions has left many families in hiding and classrooms full of empty seats. A local interfaith clergy coalition, Faith 4 Justice, released the following statement:
“Faith 4 Justice Asheville vehemently opposes the ongoing use of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) by the federal government. These actions are devastating communities across Buncombe County, Western North Carolina, the state and the country. It is immoral to track human beings down like animals in their places of residence, at their jobs, in their neighborhoods, while at the grocery store, and at their children’s schools.”
Reports that ICE agents and sheriff’s deputies from outside of the region are coming together for a picnic at a public park have horrified the community.
“We are appalled that anyone would celebrate this recent ICE raid and the hundreds of people left reeling from this week,” said local organizer, Jay. “They have taken our community members, devastated families, and caused hundreds of people to stay locked inside their houses for days on end out of fear. We are grieving and they are celebrating.”
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/183243068968921/
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