Why we used the tactic of civil disobedience: Statements from those arrested for exposing ICE holds in Kent County

In the most recent post I described the action that took place on Monday at the Kent County Sheriff’s office, where five people were arrested for exposing the fact that Kent County has been collaborating with ICE by holding undocumented immigrants at the jail for the federal agency.

Today I was to share testimony from each of the five that were arrested, so the community can hear from them directly on why they chose to use the tactic of civil disobedience in service of immigrant justice.

John – I chose to protest because I believe what’s happening in our community is wrong. ICE is detaining people without real due process, using racial profiling that spreads fear, and placing people in dangerous detention conditions. Our local sheriff is cooperating by holding people for ICE even after bail is paid and without a judge’s warrant, despite being funded by us to serve local needs— not federal immigration enforcement. When the sheriff cooperates like this it makes Kent County complicit in this harm. I’m only able to protest like this because of my privilege and our sheriff should protect our neighbors, not help ICE disappear people into fear, detention and abuse!

Sharon – I am in complete agreement with the statements read by Cosecha and my fellow protestors. Why was someone like me willing to risk arrest? The simple answer is because I can and should! I have been a rule follower my entire life. It is important that more individuals feel compelled to stand up and put their bodies at risk for the many who cannot at this time. I was raised in a household that strongly believed that authority figures and institutions were designed to protect ALL of the people’s rights and liberties.

Unfortunately, I have witnessed events to the contrary. What happened to due process? What happened to Judicial warrants? I can no longer stand on the sidelines and watch the cruel and unjust policies being used by the local police and Sheriff’s office to create fear and destruction of our affected community members. This in turn has created an environment of fear and mistrust. This is not what we want our community to look like!

Be transparent with all of the people that work and live in this community!

What is the Kent County Sheriff’s office policy on holding immigrants for ICE? What are their policies on other issues pertaining to the sharing of information and cooperation with ICE agents? What are they doing with our taxpayer dollars in regards to these questions? Stop hiding behind closed doors and simply answer these questions in the open!

Mel – Standing in the face of a violent and abusive system, shouting into the void that COPS AND ICE GO HAND IN HAND was an honor.

Cindy – The reason I protest at the risk of being arrested is because I am a Christian and this is what the Kingdom of God looks like standing up against oppression, injustice and unfairness. And standing up with and for people who are being bullied and persecuted. They are not immigrants, aliens or bad guys – they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jeff – I chose to do civil disobedience today for the following reasons:

First, I want to follow the lead of affected communities, those who are undocumented and Movimiento Cosecha. We cannot claim to be in solidarity with the immigrant community if we are not doing what they ask of us.

Second, I risked being arrested today to amplify the fact that the Kent County Sheriff’s Department is collaborating with ICE to separate families and cause lifelong trauma to immigrant families by holding undocumented immigrants at the Kent County Jail. This is exactly why Movimiento Cosecha has been pushing Kent County Commissioners to adopt sanctuary policies for the past 12 months, since ICE cannot engage in the harm they engage in without the collaboration of entities like the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. This means that the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the Kent County Commissioners are complicit in the brutal violence being directed at undocumented immigrants in this community.

Lastly, I used the tactic of civil disobedience today because as an accomplice in the fight for immigrant justice, I have a great deal of privilege. Therefore, I am using this opportunity to invite other people of good will to be part of Movimento Cosecha’s campaign to get Kent County and the City of Grand Rapids to adopt the 6 sanctuary policies they have been demanding over the past 12 months. I am inviting people to leverage their privilege and use the tactic of civil disobedience to further disrupt the Kent County Sheriff’s Department until they stop collaborating with ICE and to stop inflicting harm on undocumented immigrants and their families. If pervious movements have taught us anything it is that those of us with privilege need to engage in direct action to resist systems of power and privilege if we want things to change!

La Lucha Sigue!!!