Press Conference

This is the Sanctuary/Deportation Press Conference held at Augustana Lutheran Church this morning. Raids have begun. Immigrants are hearing a knock at the door and finding as many as a dozen heavily-armed government agents waiting for them. One father was arrested when he met his children’s school bus. Families are being torn apart. Here are some sound bites from the press conference: a gathering of faith leaders, immigrant rights organizations, and workers in the Sanctuary movement in Oregon.

“It is now clear that ICE has the power to target anyone.”

“How can we strike hatred and replace it with love?”

“How can you protect people from discrimination when the President tells them it’s OK?”

“Stand up for your neighbors and speak up on their behalf because they are scared.”

“We ask our allies to be loud, be visible, be on the right side of history.” 

“We must interrupt the brutality of separating families and pay attention to the precious human dignity of all people.”


First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

--Martin Niemöller.

See Sue's blip here. She was closer and got a much better photograph.