Dear Neighbors,
ABDUCTIONS IN SOMERVILLE, INCLUDING VIDEOS
There have been at least thirty Somerville residents or workers taken by ICE this year. Last Saturday, four people were detained and sent to Buffalo NY, according to city officials, as reported by WGBH.
The report contains a link to Councilor JT Scott's video of the detention of Magdaleno Pineda Avelar by ICE and a US Marshall. Pineda Avelar knows and asserts his rights. The agents refuse to show a warrant, and eventually handcuff and take him away. Councilor Scott reports that "I did not get video of about the first 30 seconds of this interaction, during which the resident asked if he was being detained (he was not) and if there was a warrant for him. The Black Rifle Coffee Shirt Guy only told him he 'fit exactly the description of the problem we're here to address.'"
My House colleague Rep. Mike Connolly has a longer report on the incident and followup. Neighborhood canvassing identified Pineda Avelar, which allowed Congresswoman Pressley to locate him. Coworkers have found legal counsel, and set up a Gofundme to pay for it.
The Boston Globe and Cambridge Day have excellent reports on these events.
On Saturday, September 20, resident Josh Dahl recorded his interaction with ICE agents in unmarked vehicles and a painting company truck. He asked them to "get the f*** out of Somerville." The agents had just detained four Brazilian men at the Dunkin across from Foss Park, where construction workers often gather.
Previously, on Monday, September 15, Rep. Connolly posted a resident's video of interactions with agents after another abduction in East Somerville. More on this in Cambridge Day.
PROTEST IN MEDFORD
Tufts Daily reports on a large protest outside the Medford Hyatt Place hotel, where ICE agents are reportedly staying.
COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN: ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS
Councilor McLaughlin reports that 70% of East Somerville businesses are immigrant-owned, and hurt by a decline in business as well as tariffs. He is "working with East Somerville Main Streets to promote Eat Out In East, a weekly event to promote local businesses and foster community building. Eat Out in East will be every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m." He encourages residents to start at the Connexion Church, 149 Broadway.
COLLECTING ICE STORIES
The Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research is officially collecting stories on the impacts of ICE in Massachusetts on families, institutions, and communities! Details
here. People can share stories by filling out a form, or in a phone call. All de-identified data and themes will be compiled into a public report for the Governor's office.
MUTUAL AID ACTIVITIES
MAMAS (Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville) has many other suggestions for how to support neighbors, including immigrants.
Stay involved, stay in touch,
Pat Jehlen