Williams being arrested at the protest. Photo: Kevin Fagan
[Comment]
Many people were taken away by law enforcement (Thursday during the protest after during a routine check-in meeting, immigrant rights leader Ravi Ragbir was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials).
Protesters like myself were taken in an NYPD van. Ravi Ragbir was taken away in an ambulance, by ICE. The protesters taken in, myself among them, were eventually released. Ravi has not been.
If ICE continues along its current track in this case, he will be deported. This is a tragic injustice for him, his family, and the community that he has served and led for over two decades in this country.
Ravi is a dedicated community educator, spokesperson, and advocate for immigrants. He has served on the Board of Directors and Steering Committees of both national and local non-profit organizations. He has created community organizations, and educated other advocates, allies, community organizers, and elected officials on immigration issues as well as new policies and reform proposals from Congress.
He is exactly the kind of person that we need here, working for the common good and for the cause of justice, for immigrants and for all. He needs our support, and I stand with Ravi.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under a tyrannical Trump Administration, has abused its power to tear lives and families apart, their actions are inhumane and illogical.
Trump has repeatedly said that he merely seeks to deport those who have committed crimes of extreme violence. That was, and continues to be, a lie. I will continue to work alongside dedicated activists, advocates, and elected officials to resist the destructive incompetence and malicious bigotry of the Trump administration.
We must defend our fellow human beings from the Trump Administration’s attacks on our city, our state, our nation, and our people, and I vow to continue that fight with renewed vigor and steadfast resolve.
Council Member Jumaane D. Williams represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn.
