Thread: SF protest of ICE Raids-"ICE, you can't invade our city

SF protest of ICE Raids
by Todd Chretien
Wednesday May 7th, 2008 3:46 PM
250 protest SF ICE raids
"ICE, you can't invade our city!"

By Jessica Kochick | May 7, 2008
http://www.SocialistWorker.org

SAN FRANCISCO--Some 250 immigrant rights supporters gathered May 5 for an emergency press conference and protest at the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices.

As a calculated slap in the face to workers and immigrants who took to the streets on May Day demanding justice, ICE carried out a series of raids on May 2 that targeted 11 restaurants in the El Balazo Taqueria chain throughout the Bay Area. More than 65 workers were detained; a number were held for deportation, and others were released only after being fitted with electronic monitoring devices on their ankles.

Using a rapid-response network, activists began mobilizing May 2 as soon as they got word of the raids. The May 5 action in San Francisco--which Mayor Gavin Newsom has declared a sanctuary city--included several of the detained workers and their families, unions, immigrant rights groups and members of the faith community. As Miriam Zamoras of the St. Peter's Housing Committee explained, "We must take to the streets to enforce the sanctuary city status that these immigration officials have violated."

José Luis Sánchez, an employee of El Balazo for eight years, was one of the workers who was detained. "I am not a criminal," he said. "I pay my taxes every year." Sánchez spoke of how ICE officials deceived the workers by entering the restaurant in plain clothes and ordering burritos before arresting them.

He worries about how his family will survive the situation, but as he said at the rally, "I feel more supported now. People in the street draw attention to what is happening to us."

"My wife and 7-year-old son are dependent on me," said Antonio Gonzalez Hernandez, who has been employed at El Balazo for 10 years. "He was born here so he's a citizen. I don't know what they'll do without me."

Other speakers addressed the manner in which government policy--through raids, employer sanctions and Social Security "no-match" letters--leads to the exploitation of immigrant workers who are denied basic rights. Brooke Anderson, of the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, argued, "The raids are an attempt by ICE to scare people and whip up support for the passage of a guest-worker program that will hurt workers and make them vulnerable. We won't let Homeland Security punish our workers as a way to generate support for anti-immigrant legislation."

Alfonso Pines, an organizer for UNITE HERE Local 2, added, "We're here supporting our brothers and sisters. No one is illegal in this country, you know...My people came over here from Africa, and nobody gave us a green card. When the Europeans came, they didn't give them a green card. So why all of a sudden have the rules changed?"

Renee Saucedo, of La Raza Centro Legal, addressed her comments directly to ICE officials, who remained behind their heavily guarded glass doors: "ICE, you cannot invade our city and terrorize our communities!"

Activists are promising to continue to organize to defend El Balazo workers, protest the raids and demand that San Francisco remain a sanctuary for immigrants and their families.

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/0 ... 497718.php

ICE CAN GO TO ANY CITY AND ARREST THOSE WHO ARE BREAKING THE IMMIGRATION LAWS. LOL....THERE REALLY IS NO SUCH THING AS A SANCTUARY CITY. THE CITY CANT JUST DECLARE THAT THEY WONT FOLLOW THE LAW. THAT HAS NO LEGAL BEARING ON ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY ICE. LOL....SANCTUARY CITY. THE LAW IS THE SAME HERE AS ANYWHERE.

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

"We must take to the streets to enforce the sanctuary city status that these immigration officials have violated."

That is like saying "we must take to the streets to break the law". Fine, if that is what you want to do, don't let me stop you. But don't be surprised if American citizens, including police, also "take to the streets" to stop illegal activity.

We know you guys hate "Gringos" and think we are dumb, but even "dumb Americans" are waking up to the unwanted mythological baggage of the Socialists. Americans are especially angry that they sent their kids to be educated at universities taught by anti-American socialists. Expect some of that anger to get out "in the streets"...

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

José Luis Sánchez, an employee of El Balazo for eight years, was one of the workers who was detained. "I am not a criminal," he said. "I pay my taxes every year." Sánchez spoke of how ICE officials deceived the workers by entering the restaurant in plain clothes and ordering burritos before arresting them.

I agree that it was bad that they ordered burritos. They could have contracted food poisoning which would have made it more difficult to arrest Sanchez on the stolen Social Security number used to pay his taxes!

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

He worries about how his family will survive the situation, but as he said at the rally, "I feel more supported now. People in the street draw attention to what is happening to us."

Here come more of those dreaded "street people" that the socialists love so much...

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

"My wife and 7-year-old son are dependent on me," said Antonio Gonzalez Hernandez, who has been employed at El Balazo for 10 years. "He was born here so he's a citizen. I don't know what they'll do without me."

Won't have to! He'll go back with you! There you go, problem solved. Next problem. See? Even a "dumb Gringo" can be smart sometimes. Another solution for the "no speak English" problem? Go back to the country that speaks your language! Yet another problem solved by "Dumb Gringo Inc."

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

Other speakers addressed the manner in which government policy--through raids, employer sanctions and Social Security "no-match" letters--leads to the exploitation of immigrant workers who are denied basic rights.

Wow! This dumb Gringo keeps coming up with one solution after another! The best way to solve the Social Security "no-match" letters?

Stop STEALING Social Security numbers that don't belong to you.

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

Brooke Anderson, of the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, argued, "The raids are an attempt by ICE to scare people and whip up support for the passage of a guest-worker program that will hurt workers and make them vulnerable. We won't let Homeland Security punish our workers as a way to generate support for anti-immigrant legislation."

Way to go Brooke! You won't let those nasty American laws get in the way if your fuzzy sounding Liberal think tank! You really told those Homeland Security folks off! You do such wonderful work I am going to call my Senator and see if they can up the level of government grants going to your organization!

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

Alfonso Pines, an organizer for UNITE HERE Local 2, added, "We're here supporting our brothers and sisters. No one is illegal in this country, you know...My people came over here from Africa, and nobody gave us a green card. When the Europeans came, they didn't give them a green card. So why all of a sudden have the rules changed?"

Thanks for putting "you know" at the end of that last sentence! It really drove the point home. Can't wait to see what Charles Manson does on his first day as a free man now that nobody is illegal. Where would we be without all these wonderful and well meaning socialists correcting all of our mistakes. I can't wait to "get out in the streets" and meet all of these wonderful people so that can find out about me and correct my mistakes!

Originally Posted by MontereySherry

Renee Saucedo, of La Raza Centro Legal, addressed her comments directly to ICE officials, who remained behind their heavily guarded glass doors: "ICE, you cannot invade our city and terrorize our communities!"

Give them some free burritos. That will slow them down...

" I don't know what they'll do without me."

Take them with you because we sure don`t want to take care of them .

José Luis Sánchez, an employee of El Balazo for eight years, was one of the workers who was detained. "I am not a criminal," he said. "I pay my taxes every year." Sánchez spoke of how ICE officials deceived the workers by entering the restaurant in plain clothes and ordering burritos before arresting them.

Sweet! That is awsome! Go ICE!

"I'll have two burritos, a tea, and your green card please."

W

Renee Saucedo, of La Raza Centro Legal, addressed her comments directly to ICE officials, who remained behind their heavily guarded glass doors: "ICE, you cannot invade our city and terrorize our communities!"

Congress gives La Raza millions of tax payer dollars. We are funding a group that refuses to abide by federal law. Not to mention that one of our esteemed Presidential candidates, John McCain, will address the La Raza convention in July. Anyone see anything wrong with this picture?