PMJ’s Response to the ICE Raids in L.A. County

Responding to the ICE Raids in l.a. County.

“First they came for the Communists. And I did not speak out. Because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists. And I did not speak out. Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists. And I did not speak out. Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews. And I did not speak out. Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me. And there was no one left. To speak out for me.”

– Martin Niemöller

Over the past few days, PMJ staff and board of directors have witnessed the disturbing, heart-wrenching scenes of ICE, CBP, and FBI agents launching violent raids on indigenous, immigrant, working-class communities of color across Los Angeles County. In an effort to protect each other, community members have taken to the streets to protest the actions of CBP, ICE, FBI, and other federal government agencies who are in our communities carrying out brazen kidnappings that are traumatizing and tearing apart families. CBP’s repression was met with community resistance, prompting the white house to unnecessarily mobilize U.S. armed forces against U.S. citizens. Currently, more than two thousand National Guard and seven hundred Marines have been federalized and deployed on the streets of Los Angeles, further escalating the fear and intimidation tactics against Angelenos.

The history of LA’s founding is a reminder that indigenous, immigrant, working class communities have not only built the city that we love and call home, but continue to contribute tremendously to our economy and the cultural diversity that makes Los Angeles a world class city. Let’s remain focused on the real issues – protecting each other and organizing our communities to attain meaningful change against institutional oppression. This is L.A.. Historically, when we fight, we win. Los Angeles does not get bullied. The fight ahead of us might be lengthy and laborious. On the road ahead of us remember this, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The current presidential administration is unfit to lead America towards a prosperous future. They have displayed to the American public time and again that they are morally bankrupt, espouse white supremacist ideologies, are grossly incompetent, and have dictatorial aspirations. We must not stand for that.

PMJ denounces the actions of federal authorities' and calls for CBP, ICE, and FBI agents to immediately get out of our communities. These attacks on our community are unwarranted and are a blatant power grab by the current administration. They are deliberate attempts to distract the American public from pushing back against the administration's alleged “big beautiful bill” that threatens to significantly increase the national debt, remove access to healthcare, do away with social security and other social services that so many Americans rely on. The forty-seventh president wants the American public to ignore the fallout between him and Musk. He wants us to ignore the constant failures and illegal actions of the administration. They want us to ignore that the Trump administration is intentionally trying to derail democracy and implement a fascist regime. We can not allow this to happen.

During these unprecedented times, we encourage you to have a safety plan ready. Review resources available, visit: www.immigrantsarela.com/knowyourrights. Have the number to a rapid response group, chirla 1-888-624-4752 should you need to mobilize a unit. Continue to exercise your freedom of speech and right to peacefully assemble to call on the federal government to end the raids. Stay vigilant. Continue protecting one another. We keep us safe.

In love and solidarity,
The People for Mobility Justice Team