Hello everyone! I have been reading on your site for quite some time and thought it was time to make my voice heard. I am about to ask you all for any help you can give me.

I live near Oberlin, Ohio, which is considering becoming a 'sanctuary city'. I have been attending City Council meetings, but because I don't live IN Oberlin, have been referred to as an "outsider". At the last City Council meeting, I was pretty much called (although not directly) a hatemonger and a fearmonger for simply stating facts. The other people who are against the sanctuary resolution being pushed through are from outside Oberlin so far. They have also attended City Council meetings there with me.

I am trying to get Lorain Countians involved in this fight and could use any and all help/suggestions you can give me.

I spoke with William Gheen this morning via telephone, and even though he was about to go on the radio, he was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to give me some suggestions. He suggested I look up cities/areas that have enacted 287(g), which Oberlin City Council does not want to touch, and see what successes other cities, etc. have had with this program. I could sure use your help with that if anyone is willing to jump into the fray.

I have used ALIPAC extensively to research and it has been very helpful indeed. Part of my problem is I am physically handicapped with a very limited income, and some of the suggestions William came up with would be very hard for me to utilize.

Also, I am a woman living alone in a fairly small/sparsely populated county, and I don't want to open myself up to any attacks by illegals or their supporters. I'm not trying to make excuses here; I'm just somewhat limited by these things and the fact that I am working, so far, alone locally. The folks who attended the City Council meeting are all at least an hour away from me, if not further, so they won't be much help with passing out flyers, etc.

The local newspapers here did print small articles and one wants to be able to quote me, but without me telling them my 'real' name, they refuse to. I cannot give them my real name, because my first name is an unusual name and I would be easy to find by 'opponents'.

I am hoping that by being a part of a cohesive and knowledgeable group, my fight will be made stronger.

Ah...anyway, enough rambling.

I guess I just wanted to stop by, say hello, and ask/beg for help!