In this article we want to share what is happening locally, in Berkeley and the Bay Area. We’ll talk a bit about what immigration agencies are doing, and how opposition activists are responding. Then we’ll share as many resources as we can. This page will be updated as events unfold.
California was an early target of ICE and other immigration agencies, with Los Angeles bearing the brunt of the invasion, notably with Trump’s first mobilization of the National Guard in his second term.
Over the summer, while we watched in shock at scenes of military occupation in major cities, large crowds rallied in nearby Dublin to warn against any possibility of using the notorious federal women’s prison as a possible ICE detention center. Residents of Berkeley, Oakland and other local cities spoke up against contracts with Flock Safety Inc. for mass surveillance systems that share confidential data on our residents with immigration agencies,
Then near the end of October, Trump announced that after occupations of Portland and Chicago, San Francisco would be his next target. It would be subjected to both National Guard occupation and the deployment of 100 ICE agents, potentially affecting neighboring cities, including those in Alameda County.
Incident at Coast Guard Island Bridge
The federal threat met public resistance on an isolated bridge connecting Oakland and tiny Coast Guard Island in the city of Alameda.
A Berkeley Speaks reporter on the scene on Thursday October 27 found a very peaceful yet spirited rally of a couple hundred primarily religious leaders.
But protestors at the bridge, the only access point to the island, told harrowing stories of a government car that had driven into the crowd, and a minister who was shot point-blank in the face with a pepper spray canister.
Later that evening, when most had departed, a confusing incident turned frightening for the few protestors still monitoring events at the bridge: a U-Haul van slowly backing up onto the bridge in the direction of armed soldiers.
As demonstrators tried to de-escalate the situation, the soldiers fired dozens of automatic rounds into the van, wounding the driver and at least one other bystander in the small crowd.
By this time, the president had indicated he would not send the National Guard into the Bay Area after all.
There were no large-scale ICE raids in the region, but scattered sweeps have continued since that time, including one in Fremont on November 8.
As is often the case with Trump, it is difficult to know how he made the decision to abort his invasion of our pacific shores. But it was hard to escape the impression, on that spiritual picket line, that the mass opposition had given him pause—at least for the time being.
Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii’s Sanctuary City Task Force continues to meet, bringing together dozens of committed immigrant rights activists, service providers, attorneys, faith leaders and students. Berkeley Speaks participates in these monthly meetings, which share resources and updates while discussing how to respond to federal attacks on our communities. See this October 28 statement by Mayor Ishii in the wake of the postponed federal “surge.”
See our report on “Local Collaboration with Immigration,” about the struggles Berkeley and the East Bay are having fully implementing the principle of Sanctuary.
See also “Stand up for the things you know are right,” where we highlight a few pointers and provide resources for being in solidarity with immigrant and refugee communities.
Finally for some practical advice, see this musical instruction by Berkeley’s own Hali Hammer: “Don’t Let the Vampires In!” If you refuse them, they never can win. DO NOT open the door!