Outrageous criminal assaults by ICE against community members protesting ICE’s most recent illegal abductions of people in Durango are appalling and ominous. Concerned citizens are seeking the release of three local residents, two of them under the age of 16, grabbed and detained by ICE thugs with no warrant or due process. The protests were peaceful except for the actions of ICE.
Imagine the pain of these children, their parents and loved ones! This reality in our country is so deeply wrong! By seizing hard-working and law-abiding people, ICE sends the clear message that no one is safe. Instead of targeting criminal gang members, ICE itself is a violent criminal gang. Who has the legal authority to change this? How will these valued community members be returned safely to their family in Durango? Thanks to Herald reporters for covering these important events.
To those supporting ICE: What if your children were seized on their way to school and taken far away? Or adult members of your family, for no reason other than the color of their skin? Let’s ramp up the compassion, kindness and care for one another, rather than being divided by these Gestapo tactics.
Thanks to the large numbers of people who turned out to protest, and to attend the special City Council meeting. That was thoughtful, but not reassuring, if police won’t intervene when peaceful demonstrators are attacked. Clearly, there’s a lot of work ahead to insure our, and all our neighbors’, safety.
Mary Ellen Garrett
Bayfield
