Ongoing Protests in Los Angeles

Trigger warning: Violence, police brutality, deportation, xenophobia We’re reaching out about the ongoing protests and crisis in Los Angeles. What’s happening?

• Last week, demonstrations began outside the Federal Building, in downtown LA after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers began carrying out raids across the city and the people detained were said to be at that location. The recent raids are part of the president's aim to elevate mass deportation across the country. Los Angeles, where over one-third of the population is born outside of the US, has been a key target for ongoing ICE operations. Raids have increased in schools and workplaces such as restaurants and retail shops.

• Tensions in parts of the city escalated this past weekend as police deployed rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray on thousands of protesters who took to the streets in response to President Trump's deployment of the California National Guard.
  

What about our rights and the legal system?

• California sued the Trump administration for deploying the Guard without consulting Gov. Gavin Newsom. Unfortunately, the litigation has progressed and a federal appeals court is allowing the deployment of the Guard to continue while it considers Trump’s challenge to a lower court’s decision that found he illegally mobilized those troops without consulting Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

• The appeals court issued its pause just hours after Judge Charles Breyer wrote that Trump’s “actions were illegal — both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” Breyer’s ruling in a lawsuit filed by Newsom would have put the troops back under the governor’s control.

• The appeals court will hear the case June 17.
  

What’s next?

National Board is closely monitoring the news surrounding this situation and keenly aware of the ongoing tensions in the area, especially with our upcoming National Summit being held in Los Angeles. As the federal response to the protests in Los Angeles escalates, demonstrators in New York, Philadelphia, Austin and other cities across the U.S. are also rallying against immigration raids. National Board elevates the following resources that help educate and provide action steps to dismantle systems that continue to lead oppressive actions. As always, we encourage the sharing of additional resources or information on these issues.

Know your rights

Contact your elected officials 

Financial Support & Donations

• Donate to the following advocacy organizations:

  • National Immigration Law Center

  • United We Dream

  • Immigration Justice Campaign

  • Immigrant Defense Project

  • Immigration Legal Resource Center

  • Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

  • Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project

  • Immigrants Are LA

  • Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice - Clue Justice

Mobilize & Protest Take action to protect protest rights. Make sure to review the federal guidance restricting demonstrations and become familiar with local guidance in your area.

• ACLU

• Protect the Protest Coalition

• Movement for Black Lives
  

There have been growing movements and protests occurring throughout the country. We offer the following reminders to protect yourself as you navigate the streets:

• Write down the phone number of an emergency contact on your arm in marker. 

• Find your state chapter number of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and write it on your body. If you are arrested at an action, call for legal support. 

• Aim to always travel with a buddy and communicate with your trusted loved ones where you are going. Be in communication about where your meet-up spots will be and when you plan to be home.

• Be mindful of recording and posting images from movements with direct images of protestors’ faces. These videos & images oftentimes can be used to monitor and serve as surveillance by authorities to many communities. 
  

Mental Health

• It is ok to not watch traumatizing footage or read the news. These things are necessary for accountability but does not have to be used as clickbait that traumatizes and retraumatizes others.

• Remember that logging off is always a choice. Staying informed is important but you can consider setting a specific time each day to check for updates, rather than constantly scrolling through your feeds. Sites like Twitter and Instagram allow users to mute or unfollow accounts or topics. 

• For our campus students, many colleges and universities offer mental health services and referrals that are often included in tuition or fees or low-cost options. Please check with your Resident Advisor or campus resources to see if your campus offers these services. 

• For sorors whose employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you may look into any free and confidential resources as a first line of defense for your mental health concerns. 

• Here are a list of therapist directories and related resources:

  • Psychology Today Directory

  • Inclusive Therapist

  • Asian Mental Health Collective

  • Therapy for Black Girls

  • Melanin and Mental Health

  • Undocuhealth Directory

  • Latinx Therapy

• If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody:

  • NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org.

  • Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

  • Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860

  • Trevor Project at 866-488-7386

  • Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741
    

Final Note

While this impacts our sorors across the country, we know that many reside in California and we want to share our support to you in this moment. We know that this ongoing crisis is causing fear and uncertainty among many in our organization. These feelings and difficulties are exacerbated by the many injustices that are continuing to happen in this country on a daily basis. This includes the federal government trying to take away people's rights and targeting low-income communities, communities of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalizes groups.

If you have local resources to share or are in need of additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. In moments like these, we have to continue to choose to show up for our communities, hold systems accountable, stand for change, and resist injustice.