What do DU'ers think of this?

[mmonk]

My wife volunteers at Catholic Parish Outreach to help the have nots have enough food items and such in hard times. The state of North Carolina passed a law against immigrants being able to have their licenses renewed. That way, if they were caught for a traffic violation, they could be processed, I gather, for deportation. Well, the City of Raleigh started parking police patrols across the street from the Catholic Parish Outreach where she volunteers. Now, many of the families that used to show up stopped coming in on those days the patrols sit across the street looking in on the outreach.

I was just curious about what many here think of this. My wife is worried about the conditions of these families, particularly the children.

[bigtree]

1. I think the ACLU would find this interesting

[mmonk]

2. That's an idea.

[Speed8098]

3. That's an idea.

And a damn good one at that. I think the ACLU would be interested to see an outreach targeted as a place to be under surveillance

[mmonk]

5. Yes, possibly so.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. I think I'd find some other places to distribute food.

Maybe run a moving food shelf service out of a truck or something and coordinate the movements with leaders in the immigrant community so people in need can know where to go.

Also maybe recruit a force of legal immigrants to pick up the food & deliver it. Give them a few bucks for gas. Let the pigs follow legal people around all day if they want.

[mmonk]

6. A good way to think out the problem.

[Mudoria]

7. Pigs?

:eyes:

[Jackpine Radical]

11. That's mmonk's fault.

He got me into a 60's frame of mind on an earlier thread, and it carried over here. Anyway, I don't have a very high opinion of authorities who are devoting a lot of time and energy to increasing the misery in the lives of already very unfortunate people. Migod, cutting people off from access to food.

[mmonk]

12. Sorry about the 60's frame of mind. I am what I am.

I do have friends who have been in law enforcement though. Like you, I'm appalled at the sheer lack of humanity on things like this.

[mzteris]

8. all immigrants, or illegal immigrants?

Because the former doesn't sound legal . . .

And no, that doesn't sound right about the police. Lodge a complaint. Call the press. In the meantime maybe participants can all make sure to - maybe park elsewhere and "walk up" or ride the bus in?

[mmonk]

10. It was created so if their visa expired, they could be deported.

Supposedly it was to keep out "terrorists" however the 9/11 hijackers had legal unexpired visas and driver's licenses.

[Lint Head]

9. This is overreaching on so many levels and subversion of common human rights.

The ACLU should be called immediately. This could already be a common practice of law enforcement. Fascists used all kinds of reasons to detain undesirables during WWII. Law enforcement is using 'mob force' to arrest people. So did the 'Brown Shirts'.

[proteus_lives]

13. Immigrants or illegal immigrants?

[mmonk]

14. Read post number 10.

[proteus_lives]

15. Well, if they don't renew their visas, what's wrong with deporting them?

[mmonk]

18. It wasn't the overall theme to the post.

The concern was about people that might not be able to eat that day or the next. We're talking about desperation with some families.

The law may be great to you but has led to things such as children left beside the road after a parent's arrest and one woman who was driving her children to school was deported while her children were left here.

[proteus_lives]

22. You're right, the families should taken of in such cases.

It sounds like something Social Services should be doing.

[mmonk]

24. Yes, I think so.

The problem I think is having local law enforcement and legislatures involved in ICE related activities.

[proteus_lives]

27. Legislatures, yes.

But local LEOs should be able to assist federals when needed. But it shouldn't be at local authority's direction. But that does bring up further questions. Hmm, something to think about.

[mmonk]

29. Maybe the LEO's as long as they are trained in the area of expertise

and deputized properly. I think in the case of this law, it probably sounded good to the politicians without really thinking it through properly for all contingencies.

[mmonk]

23. Also, there is the problem of backlogs sometimes at immigration.

If a backlog occurs and your driver's license expires during the backlog period, you might be targeted for deportation due to a driving violation when you might have been able to stay.

[proteus_lives]

25. That's why there needs to be strong advocates at ICE.

For people under deportation orders. They need access to the right people to avoid bureaucratic land-mines like the one you described.

[Warren Stupidity]

16. I think that is seriously fascist fucked.

[Lifelong Protester]

17. I'm for the mobile food shelf idea that Jackpine Radical mentioned

Many communities do that now, especially for elderly, but also because a lot of folks who need to use the food shelf also are short on transportation.

Could be a while before some recourse can be lined up (the idea of the ACLU being involved but could take time) so I say take the food to the people.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. Your wife is right to be concerned

This is a direct threat to the people she serves.

[laughingliberal]

20. Welcome to the Police States of America. nt

[Octafish]

21. I think she's great. Same for you, mmonk.

Regarding the situation at the parish: A friendly newspaper, radio or tee vee reporter may be a good subject for a phone call.

Be brief, succinct and straight to the point in the first 30 seconds.

Say, "Hi, I'm so-and-so with the Catholic Parish Outreach and we're in position that your readers (viewers, listeners) should know about -- people in need are unable to get help because they fear deportation. We're worried they're hungry. What's happening is the police watch to see who pulls in for help..."

In addition to shedding light on the gestapo tactics of someone in the great state of North Carolina, news covereage may serve to raise the profile of the Church outreach program.

Some of the more, eh, uncivil members of society will learn about the program, as well.

IMO, more good people will learn about something good they didn't know about previously and will lend a hand.

Good luck! Thank you to you both! You are TOPS!

[mmonk]

28. Thanks for your advice, you have me thinking.

Also, thanks for your kind words.

[Joe Fields]

26. It saddens me that this is what my country has become.

[Odin2005]

30. America = Nazi state.

[proteus_lives]

31. Your Godwin crashed into your hyperbole.

[dgibby]

32. I'd start by asking the police why they're there.

Once you know their intent, it's easier to deal with them.

Are they there because someone in the neighborhood complained about the outreach program?

Are they there because there have been complaints of traffic problems, etc?

While I seriously doubt they're there for any of the above, it would be good to get them on the record. They might even say they're there to pick up undocumented immigrants. If that's the case, then I'd notify the Feds.

[EFerrari]

33. Most departments have a community relations officer

whose job it is to answer these questions. mmonk or Mrs. mmonk could start with him/her in a low stress way.

[Bluerthanblue]

34. could they make sure the church's parking lot is available for the

families who are coming for Outreach? The Police don't have jurisdiction over church property, (unless requested to be there by the Church)-If the families could park on private Church property that might help.
I'd also suggest that perhaps the Church's leadership might approach the Mayor's office, or the Police Chief to discuss what is happening. At the Church run shelter I'm involved with, the Pastor and the Police work together to minimize problems.

Has anyone approached the patrols to ask why they are there?

[ChiciB1]

35. Once Again My Thoughts Turn To ROME!! I'm Seeing Others Make The

reference more and more of late! Am I crying wolf? Perhaps, but I AM truly AFRAID of what is happening to this ONCE Great Country!

Call me what you will, but it IS TIME, or PAST TIME for us to UNITE! But many say that ISN'T the answer and I am but ONLY ONE!!

[blondeatlast]

36. Hideously hateful. Shame on the Raleigh PD.

Just vile.