CA community groups work to prevent violence as ICE continues raids

Press Clip Source: PNS

Community groups are stepping up to try to prevent violence and abuse as ICE raids continue across the Golden State. The nonprofit Nonviolent Peaceforce is training local groups in ways to help keep the community safe, by warning undocumented people away from any imminent enforcement actions, especially if they are near a school or workplace.

Roz Lee, head of Mission U.S. for the nonprofit Nonviolent Peaceforce, said the group is taking action.

"We are committed to helping people reduce the risk of harm," she stressed. "So the preparedness is having the tools to de-escalate violence, to interrupt violence, to prevent violence."

The training also covers safety teams, de-escalation, and basic street medicine. People who are at risk of being detained, including green card holders and citizens, should know that they don’t have to answer questions without an attorney and can seek help from community organizations. In addition, bystanders have the right to film what is happening as long as they don’t obstruct the agents.

Lee added that sometimes simply having witnesses creates accountability, giving everyone involved the incentive to do things peacefully and by the book.

"Nonviolent Peaceforce is present with immigrants and their families in and around courts so that people know their rights, that they feel less alone, and have observers in the room when harmful practices occur," she continued.

Nonviolent Peaceforce works with a number of local groups in the San Diego area, notably the City Heights Community Development Corporation, Universidad Popular, Detention Resistance, the Labor Solidarity Action Network; Indivisible 49; the UCSD Labor Center; Pillars of the Community; and the North County LGBTQ Resource Center.