bed chem | drew starkey

IMPORTANT!

i came to america when i was 8 years old. a little girl holding my mom's hand through the india airport, not knowing what life would look like here but believing that things would be safer. better. more free.

we did everything "the right way." or better known as the "legal way."

and now, almost 10 years later, it's terrifying to see what's happening under this administration. to watch families get ripped apart. to hear the knock on the door and not know if someone you love will be taken. to watch people who built their whole lives here, who work, who pay taxes, who raise children, live with the constant fear of being detained by ICE.

and the truth is, it's still scary. even with documents. because it's not about the documents. it was never about the documents. it's about power. about control. about who gets to feel safe and who doesn't. and right now, that fear is swallowing entire communities whole.

so let me say this clearly: you have rights. regardless of your immigration status. regardless of what they say.

know this:

-you DO NOT have to open the door to ICE unless they have a signed warrant from a judge with your name on it. ask to see it through the window or slip it under the door. if it's not signed by a judge (an "administrative warrant" is not enough), you do not have to let them in.

-you have the right to REMAIN SILENT. you do not have to answer any questions about where you're from, your immigration status, or anything else. say, "i am exercising my right to remain silent."

-you have the right to speak to a LAWYER don't sign anything without one. even if they pressure you. even if they try to scare you. ask to talk to a lawyer first.

-you have the right to REFUSE a search. if they ask to search your belongings, your car, your home, you can say no unless they have a valid warrant.

-you have the right to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. if ICE approaches you or someone you know, write down badge numbers, names, what was said, what happened, and where. take photos or video if it's safe.

this isn't about politics. this is about human beings being treated with basic dignity and decency.

this country is full of people like me, who came here as kids, or crossed oceans, or fled violence, or simply wanted a shot at a better life. we are your neighbors. your coworkers. your friends. we are not a threat. we are part of this place, just like you.

please, take care of each other. protect one another. learn your rights and share them. we're all we've got.

and always remeber, no one's illegal on stolen land.

ALSO!!! please stay alerted, ice was spotted in my town and surrounding areas today as well.

please use the link below to stay alert.

https://padlet.com/PeopleoverPapers/people-over-papers-anonymous-anonimo-lf0l47ljszbto2uj?fbclid=IwY2xjawK1_LRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFROWhUa3V0MDV4OWZUeGR2AR4h2WkwwXpQnN00qR_PU6Czh6XJZclN7RpGa8P34DaKu9XiGb9O1TubypZm3A_aem_M5YW6Ufy1r1TUbuhBSq_rQ