Immigration Enforcement and MICAH

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The MICAH meeting on Feb. 8 was facilitated by Gisela Guerrero of MICAH, Claire Gardner of ACLU-TN, and Lamisa Hasan of Free The 901. Forty five members of St. John’s attended.

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The session included an overview, fact sharing, and a review of ways to respond individually and as a congregation.  

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Response Option 1: Rapid Response when encountering what appear to be heavy-handed uses of force at traffic stops (by masked federal agents in unmarked vehicles, state troopers, or MPD officers) or violent, fear inciting arrests of neighbors. Concrete actions: If not on a major highway, stop, call the Rapid Response Hotline (901-329-7979), stay 25 feet away from the event, and use your phone to video what is happening. If an officer tells you to back away, you should comply. If you witness direct physical abuse or violence taking place, blow a whistle to alert others in the area. For further information and guidelines about this form of rapid response, visit Vecindarios 901.

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Response Option 2: Support the current boycott and buycott underway in Memphis to withhold support to businesses who are favorable towards the federal occupation of Memphis, and to offer support to those businesses who are resisting compliance. For more information on the boycott and buycott and many other ways to take action, visit Freethe901 Resource Page.

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Next Steps: Form a St. John’s MICAH Core Team to keep the congregation informed and to lead action responses to offer care and seek justice for our neighbors.

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For More Information or to volunteer to be on the St. John’s Micah core team, speak with or email Lee Ramsey (glramseyjr@yahoo.com).