ANTIOCH — Amid nationwide fears over federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement exercise throughout Halloween, Bay Space cities assured the general public that everybody will likely be protected, emphasizing that every one are welcome.
Forward of Halloween and the Dia de los Muertos group occasion scheduled for Saturday In Antioch, town and its police division reassured residents that the division is dedicated to serving and defending the group “regardless of immigration status.”
“We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the event, knowing that your safety, rights, and dignity will be respected,” town said on Wednesday.
With officers set to be on the occasions “to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.” Capt. Desmond Bittner mentioned their presence is supposed “to ensure public safety, not enforce immigration law.”
Jaden Baird, Antioch’s public data officer, mentioned the parks and recreation division obtained considerations from individuals who have been apprehensive about typical Halloween celebrations and needed to attend Saturday’s occasion.
Baird mentioned the general public needed assurance from town that their security can be a precedence amid nationwide immigration enforcement raids.
The Antioch Police Division reiterated its stance that it doesn’t take part in ICE raids or different federal immigration enforcement, a stance shared by a number of different East Bay departments.
Antioch famous that officers is not going to ask people about their immigration standing for enforcement functions, detain people for civil immigration violations, use state databases for immigration enforcement, or query victims or witnesses about their immigration standing when reporting against the law.
The company mentioned that federal immigration enforcement requests undergo a supervisor and are solely thought of “in emergency situations.”
Police Chief Joe Vigil mentioned the division may have its personal haunted home occasion on Friday.
“I encourage people to have a good time, stay safe and always take care of one another,” mentioned Vigil. “If anything pops up that doesn’t look right, give us a call.”
In Brentwood, public data officer Lindzie Laughridge reminded residents that in addition they don’t take part in federal immigration enforcement.
The division stays devoted to serving all members of the group with “professionalism, fairness and respect,” mentioned Laughridge.
She famous that officers will likely be working common shifts over the weekend and urged the general public to report suspicious actions.
“We just want to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community,” mentioned Laughridge. “So, we want to reaffirm that we want it to be a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community.”
In Oakland, Mayor Barbara Lee mentioned town has been working extensively with group companions to make sure immigrant communities are knowledgeable and supported, together with in the course of the metropolis’s personal Dia de los Muertos occasion this weekend.
Lee mentioned Oakland is a sanctuary metropolis and is dedicated to upholding its coverage that neither the Oakland Police Division nor every other metropolis workers can help or take part in immigration regulation enforcement.
The San Jose Police Division reiterated that its insurance policies have remained unchanged, reminding the general public that it doesn’t take part in or help with federal immigration actions.
“Our focus continues to be on maintaining public safety and trust within our community,” the division mentioned in a press release.
Marivel Mendoza, a spokesperson for the East County Speedy Response Coalition, urged everybody to remain secure in the course of the celebrations as there could possibly be situations of individuals impersonating federal brokers.
“I think people need to be very mindful and observant of certain costumes because I think there are going to be people who want to do something because they think it’s funny,” mentioned Mendoza.
She mentioned the coalition will likely be volunteering at occasions to coach folks about their rights and entry to assist.
“I am respectfully requesting you suspend enforcement operations from Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2 in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship, and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place. Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear,” Pritzker said in his letter to Noem. “No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood.”
Noem rejected the proposal.
“We’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe,” Noem mentioned Thursday. “The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and, I think, unfortunate that he doesn’t recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure we’re bringing criminals to justice and getting them off our streets, especially when we’re going to send all of our kiddos out on the streets and going to events and enjoying the holiday season.”
