Citizens Soundly Reject ICE in Newport at Wednesday’s Town Hall
The turnout at the Newport Town Hall Wednesday evening was amazing. An estimated 1700 people crowded through the halls and 5 rooms of the building while the overflow surrounded the outside during a meeting that went overtime. The expression of outrage was heard again and again as speakers took their 3 minutes at the microphone. Mayor Kaplan stated repeatedly, “We are going to do everything we can do to fight this.” Shar Walbaun of Indivisible Lincoln City sent out a statement asking all of us to sign and send the attached letter to our representatives with the clear message that we reject the strategic move by ICE into the Oregon Coast. Go to the email address of each of the 3 representatives and go to “Contact us” where you can send a message Copy and paste this sample letter into an email you intend to send. Personalize it as you wish. House Transportation Leadership: Email transportation@mail.house.gov Nick Christianson, Republican (Missouri) | 202-225-9446 House Transportation Committee Mike Ezell, Republication (Mississippi) | 202-226-3552 Chair, Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation John C. Rayfield, Republican (Virginia) | 202-226-3552 Staff director, Transportation Subcommittee on Coastguard and Maritime Transportation Oregon representatives: Sen. Jeff Merkley Sen. Ron Wyden Rep. Val Hoyle § [date] Dear ____________, I live in ___________, Oregon and am writing to urge you to strongly and immediately oppose the location of any ICE detention facility in Newport or anywhere along the Oregon coast. Time is of the essence. There is a complete lack of transparency from DHS on this matter. However, there are news reports indicating DHS appears to be evaluating the Newport Airport, among other places, to serve as a location for people taken into their custody under the guise of immigration enforcement. Newport Airport houses a U.S. Coast Guard air facility. Using that land would divert resources that are supposed to be used for national security and maritime safety. Such a plan would surely jeopardize search and rescue capabilities and defense of our coast. Because of the lack of transparency at DHS, we don’t know, and can’t evaluate, the impact of locating a camp here. The prospect of ICE lurking in our communities is deeply disturbing. Elsewhere, anonymous masked “agents” have taken moms, dads, and even children from their homes, places of work, and off the streets. The individual’s right to due process has been ignored. Such actions contradict our American values and are a grave threat to our way of life. It is unthinkable that a detention camp filled with our community members, friends, and family would be located here. News about such camps include reports of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and lack of food, water, or medical care. People have been unable to communicate with family or have access to legal counsel. There seems to be virtually no accountability for what goes on in these camps or for the way people are treated. There is no indication such a camp on the Oregon coast would operate any differently. It is disturbing that there is no transparency about the plan for a detention center and no opportunity for our local leaders, let alone the public, to be informed or have input. It only underscores that the location and operation of an ICE detention camp in the Newport area or along the Oregon coast will further jeopardize the safety and well-being of people who live here, their families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Sincerely, [name]