“Operation Midway Blitz” has begun in Chicago as hundreds of ICE agents arrived over the weekend. Largely unchallenged, the Supreme Court has even over ridden a lower court ruling for Los Angeles, allowing ICE to arrest people based on race, language and jobs. And although the administration touts it is removing criminals from our streets, it’s estimated that 70% of those currently in ICE custody do not have a criminal record, but are overwhelmingly brown.
Trump’s callous references to unleashing war on cities, and his contempt for sanctuary cities ignores the startling truth that the cities being targeted all have dropping crime rates. Their successes have come in part to programs designed to strengthen communities not tear them apart. And many of these programs have been financially cut from federal support thanks to Trump’s Big Beautiful BS.
These aggressive and divisive measures of authoritarian rule are not letting up. They are increasing with federal dollars pouring into the agencies who are now charged with stealing flower vendors from the streets as just happened in Chicago. And by Trump administration’s border czar Tom Homan’s own admission, ICE will apprehend anyone that meets their profile even if they are not the criminals that they seek.
So, the question is, where do we, as individuals, stand in all of this mayhem? Are we still refusing to speak up at church or family gatherings because we don’t want to rock boats? if so, I will say this, every moment of everyday we should be championing humanity. Every moment of everyday we should be a voice of reason and of peace. Regardless of outcomes, we must not shy away from words and actions to those that challenge the dignity of all of us. Because it is true, what happens to one, happens to all.
This piece was written before the murder of a white man that is capturing the news. His murder signals an escalation in violence. His life signaled an escalation in white supremacy. His legacy will be told by both those who revered him and those who reviled him. And in the end it doesn’t matter. What matters and what should matter is where are we, each of us as individuals? Are we aligning with division and hatred, or are we aligning with humanity and peace. Palestinians are still being slaughtered by Israeli insanity – with weaponry supplied by our government. Brown people are living in fear as Black and Indigenous people have, as well as Trans and Queer and all marginalized people. We are escalating the militarized police and stripping away what little dignity was available through due process and the courts.
We have created a world of hate and violence. Our drive for assimilation is destroying us.
If you are still silent, you are very much a part of the problem.
let kindness win 