POWER, NOT PANIC
Graphics by: Alejandra Santillan
"I do not consent to this search" and "I am going to exercise my right to remain silent" echoed through the walls of a Chicana-owned boutique in Los Angeles. The boutique, Persona, was filled with a diverse crowd as it hosted an immigrant rights workshop conducted by the Orange County Rapid Response Network (OCRRN).
“We can all, as a community, come together and learn,” said Nechi Estrada, the operations and project manager at Mid-City Mercado, highlighting its focus on community engagement and collaboration.
Mid-City Mercado is a pop-up market held behind the Persona shop on the third Saturday of each month. Jasmine Maldonado is the owner of Persona and a co-founder of Mid-City Mercado, which is family-operated.
Estrada and Maldonado called for a collaboration with the OCRRN. They strive to promote methods to protect the undocumented community and implement safety practices for potential encounters with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The OCRRN connects aid from nonprofit organizations and civil rights law firms, including attorneys and law school clinics, to communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The network supports these communities in their struggle against harsh immigration enforcement policies. It provides resources, assists in defending immigrant rights, and creates spaces for activists and organizers.
The OCRRN has been organizing weekly meetings from 6 to 8 p.m. These meetings educate those affected by immigration enforcement policies on how to support their loved ones and inform them about participatory defense, in which loved ones of detainees become active agents in their court cases. This includes educating them on how to create social-legal packages that showcase the defendant's contributions to the community. OCRRN has also been arranging for community members to attend court hearings to show their support for the detainees.
Angie Monreal and Carlo Chunga, both doctoral candidates at the University of California, Irvine and OCRRN volunteers, instructed the workshop on how to be an ally and how to protect the undocumented community.
Tension in Latino communities rose since President Donald Trump took office and initiated the ICE deportation raids. According to Monreal and Chunga, customs enforcement agents have primarily targeted individuals with Latino features and those who speak Spanish as they seek to detain as many candidates as possible.
“Constant fear of deportation is real,” Chunga said, sharing his late father’s experience of being undocumented in the U.S., under constant surveillance while evading immigration raids and ICE stops.
Chunga and Monreal presented crucial information in both English and Spanish, covering topics such as who is at risk of apprehension, providing an example of an official judicial order and delivering a "Know Your Rights" lecture.
Key points from their presentation included the importance of recording interactions with enforcement agents. This can be crucial for detainees, especially if the video captured any illegal actions or violations of their rights by the agents.
Another essential point discussed was that ICE has been trying to maintain an element of surprise. They reported about agents dressed in civilian clothing and driving unmarked vehicles. They also noted that ICE frequently conducts deportations between 4 and 5 a.m.
Additionally, the presentation highlighted that Los Angeles is a designated sanctuary city, which limits or denies cooperation with ICE unless a warrant or a criminal record is involved.
Finally, it was emphasized that ICE aims to complete its operations quickly. It's important not to give in immediately. If their operation takes longer than expected, they may leave. It was encouraged to try to take control of the situation as much as possible.
During the discussion of this sensitive topic, Monreal provided comedic relief by referring to Trump as a “mentiroso,” or liar, when addressing the misinformation he has spread about immigrant rights. She specifically mentioned Trump’s claim that U.S.-born citizens with immigrant parents would have their citizenship revoked.
“‘Know Your Rights’ tactics are effective,” Monreal said to the crowd during the meeting.
Graphics by: Alejandra Santillan
Monreal emphasized the main goal of providing these workshops is “reminding people that knowledge is power.”
As the presentation concluded, the audience was instructed to exercise the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. As the participants confidently and boldly yelled out, the tone grew stronger with each repetition.
Chunga finished the meeting by underlining the importance of facing these concerns in a way that does not generate fear but strengthens the community by using educated tactics.
“Power, not panic,” Chunga said.
More information can be found through these community resources:
OC Rapid Response Network: 714-881-1558
LA Rapid Response: 1-888-624-4752
Long Beach (ORALE): 562-276-0267