robertreich

Congress is now considering the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, whose funding runs out at the end of January.

Call your members of Congress and tell them to vote NO on any bill that increases ICE's funding.

Please demand that the DHS appropriations bill prohibit ICE and Border Patrol agents from carrying guns and that it unambiguously declare that agents do not have absolute immunity under the law if they harm civilians.

Also tell them that any bill must restrict ICE and Border Patrol’s ability to conduct dragnet arrest operations and target people based on their race, language or accent. And the bill must clarify that ICE agents are liable under civil and criminal law if they harm civilians.

Do this as soon as you can.

To reach your representative or senator, call the U.S. Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Tell them the state and city where you live. They will connect you to any member’s office.

amaditalks

ICE murdered a woman in Minneapolis today. Her name was Renee Good.

Renee Good was a queer white woman, a mother and a wife. She was a US citizen. But too many stories are making sure to include the details of her citizenship first and foremost, even before her name,as if it makes a difference, as if it would have been more understandable or more acceptable if the woman that ICE murdered was an immigrant, documented or otherwise. As if her citizenship should provoke us to a higher level of outrage. 

Of course it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

When you talk about the death of Renee Good, talk about her by her name. Talk about her courage in being a bystander interventionist and observer of the lawless behavior of the armed agents engaging in an ethnic cleansing campaign in our country. Talk about her family that is left behind after this wanton act of murder. Talk about her as a role model and inspiration for all of us.

But don't talk about Renee Good as a US citizen. It doesn't matter. It's beneath mention.