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Yesterday I was on a call at Memorial City Mall about a report of six ICE agents. "That's where we think the real opportunity is to get organized because our enemy is really organized... Every day, they're allocating new money in some sneaky way to ICE agents or to the police." The goal: "a long term movement that fights back against deportations, raids, detention, and all other forms of immigrant immigration related terror." They’re inspired by BC Defensa/Ventura County Defensa, which built a volunteer network of "500 engaged active volunteers" and, "a month ago," had a six‑hour standoff with ICE at Glass House Farms, "prevented a lot of detention and a lot of detainment." They stress rights education and a "volunteer legal observer" approach, plan to recruit via a QR code, and aspire to mimic Ventura County. In Houston, there are about "150" volunteers; they aim for "500" to effect change. Houston LEADS runs a scout program for ICE sightings, with group chats, observers, and lawyers in the group.

The Trump administration's promise of mass deportations has led the Snohomish County School District to plan a "Know Your Rights" session with the Mexican consulate. However, social media backlash resulted in the Edmonds School District canceling the event at Meadowdale High School due to threats and harassment. Immigration advocacy groups criticize this decision, emphasizing the importance of such sessions for communities feeling unsafe. The session aimed to educate families about their rights during immigration raids. Despite the cancellation, the district is exploring alternative ways to provide this crucial information. The need for these sessions has increased since 2016, highlighting the importance of community awareness regarding rights regardless of immigration status.

The PSL is building a mass volunteer network that we want all of you to be a part of. Because as I said, no politician is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves. There are people going around with little half sheet pamphlets that have a QR code that you can scan to join a mass volunteer network. In Ventura County, California, our friends have built a volunteer network of 500 active and engaged volunteers that chase ice out of their neighborhoods, and we wanna do the same. In Rhode Island. Thank you. In Rhode Island. You may not expect it, but every day, hundreds of volunteers chase ICE out of their communities and directly prevent deportations and detainment. We wanna build that here in Houston. And we wanna build it with all of you here as individuals, and we wanna build it with all of the organizations that are here.

Yesterday I was on a call at Memorial City Mall about a report of six ICE agents. "That's where we think the real opportunity is to get organized because our enemy is really organized. They've got all of the media at their fingertips. They've got billions of dollars of our money to hire police and ICE agents." The goal: "a long term movement that fights back against deportations, raids, detention, and all other forms of immigrant immigration related terror." They admire BC Defensa or Ventura County Defensa, whose volunteer network of "500 engaged active volunteers" helped during a six hour standoff with ICE outside Glass House Farms, preventing "a lot of detention." Rights: in Texas, "the automobile exclusion" and "you can say, I'm not going refuse that. You need a warrant." Current Houston effort has "about 150" volunteers, aiming for 500, using a "volunteer legal observer" approach; "There’s a QR code that you can scan to join a mass volunteer network." Houston LEADS runs a "scout program" and a "response team" with lawyers in the group.

At the Good Trouble Lives On protest at Houston City Hall, Taylor Crawford of Houston Leads describes a coalition focusing on social justice. They created a 'scout program that is like a call to action and a response team' to document incidents, take notes, gather names of ICE officers, detainees, and witnesses, and provide legal information. The group includes lawyers and aims to break down barriers. The scouts program has had 'over a 100 sign ups,' enabling faster responses to incidents. They aim to document ICE raids: 'take notes, take pictures, get down the names of ICE officers, ... detainees, also witnesses.' They help with family preparedness plans and distribute 'know your rights cards' to inform what to do if questioned by ICE, stressing: 'remain silent' and 'do not answer anything without a lawyer present.' Final message: 'we're all human beings' and to protect the community.

The president has been trying to provoke violence here, right here, in the black communities and in the brown communities, having ICE kidnap our neighbors, having black having the black community be harassed and profiled and want, want a response. We say, hell no. We won't go. One that respects rights to build trust and keep our communities truly safe and that is fascism free. Free is not a road map to safety. It is a burial. Data and reports from many credible organizations show patterns. Black people are more likely to be stopped, searched, questioned, arrested, and harmed encounters with the law. When we add the president of federal agents or the national guard to daily life in these neighborhoods, the burden can multiply. Not by making harm more rare, but making it more visible and more likely to escalate.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of teachers attending workshops and then disseminating the information within their schools. This is to saturate the schools with critical information. The speaker references Border Czar saying that "Know Your Rights" workshops are effective and are slowing down the machinery of the fascists. The speaker urges listeners to heed this message and continue empowering people to know their rights.

The transcript captures a tense moment at a Bergen Lyon Avenue location near a White Castle, where Speaker 1 reports that ICE came by and grabbed people, stating, “ICE came by and grabbed people. They are targeting the bus stops. Again, they are targeting the bus stops.” Speaker 0 responds with anger, asking, “What are you doing?” and labeling the action as terrorism, saying, “You fucking terrorists. You’re a fucking terrorist.” The speakers describe the scene as individuals were taken from the area, emphasizing that the raids are focused on bus stops and the surrounding vicinity, including Fairview Avenue, with Speaker 1 asking, “How many other bus stops? How many other locations?” They urge vigilance for others, noting that “any moment a vehicle like this can't see into the window” due to tinted windows, warning that law enforcement came into the location and “grabbed people.” Speaker 1 reiterates the need to “be on point” and to “be aware of what you're doing,” urging people to stay attentive as they go about their day. Throughout, there is a sense of fear and urgency, with the speakers repeatedly calling attention to the raids and the targeting of public transit access points like bus stops. Additional exchanges include Speaker 0 directing, “Hey. Hey. No. No. No. You're not gonna scare me,” and Speaker 1 insisting, “Don't touch her. Don't touch her. Don’t touch her.” The overall message is a warning to community members about ICE activity at specific transit hubs and the potential for people to be detained, paired with strong emotional reactions to the perceived aggression and disruption.

The speakers aim to provide tools to understand complex legal matters, drawing on their experience as prosecutors. They intend to guide people through judgment and strategy calls. A key takeaway from the Trump administration is the realization that constitutional rights and Department of Justice norms are not guaranteed. Fundamental aspects of America are not immutable. The speakers believe that every generation must fight for these values. Regardless of what happens with Donald Trump, the struggle to ensure that the values we care about remain core American values will persist.

Trump's plans for mass deportations have sparked fear in immigrant communities. Dana Miller, who has worked with immigrants for a decade, highlights concerns that even those without criminal records could be affected. The former top ICE official in Colorado supports increased funding for deportations and more detention beds. Amid these fears, organizations like the Colorado Rapid Response Network offer resources, including a 24-hour hotline in English and Spanish to report immigration enforcement. They provide trained responders to advise individuals of their rights and document any violations. It's crucial to remember that everyone has constitutional rights, and many immigrants are on legal paths to citizenship. Community support for immigrants is essential.

In California, it's important to know your rights and feel secure sending your kids to camp or going to work. We’ve faced challenges before, like Prop 187 and the three strikes law, but we emerged stronger. Remember, if someone knocks on your door without a warrant, you do not have to open it. You have rights to due process and legal representation. Our judicial, educational, and healthcare systems will support you in understanding these rights. California is a unique place where we embrace our differences and unite around our shared humanity. Together, we will overcome this moment and come out even stronger.

There will be a significant psychological media operation, and we must prepare for it. Immigration enforcement is always controversial, but we are a nation of laws, and illegal entry is a crime. It's frustrating to hear claims that illegal aliens commit fewer crimes than citizens; every illegal alien is a criminal. I've received numerous death threats for enforcing the law, but we won't be deterred. We need to control the messaging. I suggested to President Trump that we hold weekly press briefings to inform the public about our arrests, the reasons behind them, and the locations, especially in sanctuary cities.

We have lawyers in all 50 states collaborating with civil rights organizations, governors, and mayors to combat right-wing extremism. Governors like Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Gavin Newsom of California are already taking a stand, similar to actions during the first Trump administration. Local leaders are uniting to resist federal government attacks on their communities, focusing on protecting not just immigrants but also dissidents and protesters targeted by Trump. We are actively working with these officials to create a protective barrier around our communities.

When organizing, identify the heart of your community, a place where people naturally gather, and consider if it should be the center of resistance. Analyze the area with fresh eyes, noting escape routes, protective cover, and scouting locations. Organize neighborhoods as a "strike pull" by building relationships and mobilizing residents to converge on key days. Focus on quickly increasing numbers to attract more participants. Shutdown DC trained 3,000 people in affinity groups with a shared vision, making it easy to integrate newcomers. Identify core people, establish a framework, and train them to carry the vision. Create structures for new participants to quickly integrate through orientations, trainings, or forming flying squads of 50-100 people to move to needed locations. Prepare for self-protection against chemical weapons, projectiles, batons, and horses using items like padded backpacks and helmets. These are self-protective measures, not indicators of militancy.

Be cautious about discussing politics; it can lead to unwanted scrutiny. Avoid revealing personal information about friends’ identities or political beliefs. If someone brings up politics, deflect the conversation. Keep any assistance to immigrants private; do not discuss it openly. Prepare for potential authoritarianism by staying informed and ready. Firearms training may be necessary for self-defense, as the Second Amendment might remain intact. If political views are shared on social media, consider deleting those accounts to protect yourself from future repercussions. Prioritize safety and discretion in a potentially oppressive environment.

We have every obligation to defend our people, community, and families by any means necessary. While not wanting to be violent, we are not nonviolent; we believe in self-defense. If someone comes at me or my family, I will do everything in my power, legal or not, to defend them. There are over 200 people detained in a dungeon in the basement, with no bathrooms, showers, enough food or water, and children are also being held there. This is a human rights violation. We have to liberate those people and fight for them. They are being held around the corner, and we are going to move down there so they can hear and see us and know they are not alone.

It's great to see such a massive turnout here today! Everyone in the labor movement, and those who value public service, recognize that enough is enough. An injury to one is an injury to all. They're counting on us giving up, but we can't. I know many of you have family, friends, and colleagues in the federal system who are scared. If you can, stand up. If you are able, decline to enforce illegal instructions. If the facts support it, use the whistleblower portals that the Senate Democrats have set up. We may be out of power, but we are not powerless. We're going to win.

The pace is fast, and we're busy, but we're ready for more. We've been preparing for this moment for months, anticipating actions from the Trump administration, even before the inauguration. We're working as a team with attorneys general across the nation. We talk every day to address new actions and developments, and our staffs are constantly communicating. We deploy resources strategically, leveraging expertise from different AG's offices on issues like gun violence, LGBTQ rights, immigration, and the environment. The executive order challenging birthright citizenship was a clear constitutional overreach. We acted immediately, challenging it in court and successfully halting it. While the Supreme Court has a conservative majority, I'm confident they will uphold birthright citizenship because it is a clear constitutional right.

Community defense works, and resistance has slowed them down before. They are changing tactics because they know how quickly we mobilize. If they are escalating their tactics, then so are we. When they show up, we gotta show up even stronger.

We are here with BAM, a civil rights and immigrant rights group, to discuss defeating Donald Trump and his fascist movement. Trump plans mass deportations and supports the January 6 rioters. We must take action against ICE terror in our communities and build defenses against raids and deportations. The Lincoln Riley bill, which targets immigrants, needs to be defeated. While there are concerns about crime, it's important to recognize that crime occurs everywhere and linking it solely to illegal immigrants is racist. We advocate for open borders and citizenship rights for all, regardless of immigration status.

"Yesterday literally yesterday, I was on a call at Memorial City Mall because there were a report of six ICE agents." "That's where we think the real opportunity is to get organized because our enemy is really organized." "We wanna build a long term movement that fights back against deportations, raids, detention, and all other forms of immigrant immigration related terror." "'a six hour standoff with ICE outside of a farm, a cannabis farm in Ventura County called Glass House Farms'." "'they prevented a lot of detention.'" "'What you say is that you're a volunteer legal observer.'" "'There are four in total. There's one up north, one kind of south, and then two downtown.'" "'The goal is to eventually have enough numbers to where we can really take direct action and stop them.'" "'There are about 150.'"

We have thoroughly analyzed potential challenges to our rights and developed contingency plans. No matter what the next administration attempts, we are prepared to counter any attacks or funding cuts affecting New York. Despite national events, we will remain steadfast against injustice and protect our most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

"The president has been trying to provoke violence here, right here, in the black communities and in the brown communities, having ICE kidnap our neighbors, having black having the black community be harassed and profiled and want, want a response. We say, hell no. We won't go." "Today, we get today today, we gather to speak plainly about policy path that sounds strong, but in truth, it weakens the very safety we see." "Black people are more likely to be stopped, searched, questioned, arrested, and harmed encounters with the law." "When we add the president of federal agents or the national guard to daily life in these neighborhoods, the burden can multiply." "We're fighting for freedom and safety for all people."

We might call this getting strike ready. I think of it as getting us strike ready or street ready. And part of that is understanding our own strength. And as we develop that strength, being able to assess our risk tolerance. Because we know that risk tolerance increases as the severity of the situation increases and as our own understanding of what's happening increases. So overall, the more we understand what's effective, what the risks are, and who's ready to participate, the more impact we can have.

Families united against ICE and Trump. Together as a Raza community, we can make a difference. Initially, I feared no one would show up, but the turnout has grown. It’s important to fight with courage for our freedom and to learn how to be effective social advocates.