Since the shooting deaths in Minneapolis in January, federal immigration authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have kept a lower profile despite clocking record arrests throughout the country.
That changed when an ICE agent shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on July 7. Araujo was not wanted by immigration authorities in the lead-up to the vehicle stop that resulted in an agent shooting him in the abdomen. His brother and another passenger were arrested and detained, The New York Times reported.
The following day, federal immigration authorities arrested two people in northeast Bend, according to Central Oregon Peacekeepers, which shared photos of the arrests on social media. A representative for the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition confirmed that two people in Bend were arrested on July 8.
Activist group 50501 Central Oregon says “enough is enough.” The group is organizing a peaceful protest and vigil on July 11 at the Peace Corner in downtown Bend, beginning at 2:30 pm.
“From Houston to Central Oregon, from Minnesota to Maine to Texas, communities are living with the consequences of ICE enforcement,” organizers said in a press release. “We are gathering to say enough is enough. ICE out now. Abolish ICE everywhere.”
50501 Central Oregon is the local chapter of the national 50501 initiative, whose name is short for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement” and states its purpose as fighting for democracy against fascism and the billionaire class.
50501 Central Oregon organizer Dana Madison told the Source that folks who are aligned with its values yet might be hesitant to join a peaceful protest, should nonetheless give it a shot.
“There’s nothing like being able to talk with people, where you don’t have to self-filter and they understand where you’re coming from,” Madison said. “Not everyone is being callous and cold; there are other people that feel the same feelings as you.”
Organizers encourage folks taking part to bring signs and nonperishable food donations for 50501 Central Oregon’s food drive. Cash donations will go toward the effort by We Black Radio, a local Black internet radio program, to bring Malynda Hale, a singer, songwriter and activist, to town for a performance and speaking engagement.
The Central Oregon chapter has organized the weekly Defend Democracy protests since October and, notably, the No Kings rally in Drake Park on March 28. The group also led local vigils and protests of the federal immigration authorities’ shooting deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January.
“From Houston to Central Oregon: Abolish ICE Everywhere” Protest, Vigil
Saturday, July 11, 2:30-3:30pm
Downtown Peace Corner
Corner of Wall Street and Newport Avenue, Bend
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