AAPI leaders in SF condemn ICE raids, Trump travel ban

by Akemi Tamanaha, Associate Editor

Advocates and leaders gathered outside San Francisco City Hall on Monday for an emergency press conference to condemn the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and Trump’s latest travel ban. They also denounced the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard and the U.S. Marines in Los Angeles.

Last Wednesday in San Francisco, according to KTVU, 15 people were arrested outside of ICE headquarters in the city. Then on Sunday, more than 150 people were arrested while protesting those arrests and showing solidarity with protestors in L.A.

Monday’s emergency press conference was attended by city officials as well as community advocates. Several members of the AAPI leaders came to show their support and give remarks.

Aarti Kohl, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, called out the Trump administration’s attempt to use national security threats to justify the new travel ban, which prevents people from 12 different countries from entering the U.S.

The countries on the list are primarily African, Arab or majority Muslim.

“This is what authoritarianism and racism looks like,” Kohl said. “As the great granddaughter of an Indian immigrant who lived through the Asian Exclusion Act, I know how our government has repeatedly used national security to justify discriminatory policies.”

Kohl said the Asian Law Caucus is “already hearing from Afghan families whose relatives were waiting to move here and flee the Taliban regime.” 

Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, the first Muslim and South Asian to be elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, promised to protect his community. Mahmood represents District 5, which encompasses the Tenderloin, a neighborhood with many Arab, Latino and Asian immigrant families. 

Supervisor Mahmood said he is introducing legislation that will protect the city’s right to protest. He also promised to “work in close partnership with the public defender’s office to expand their immigrant defense unit.”

He finished by referencing a jade bracelet that was given to him for protection by a cafe owner in the Tenderloin who is an immigrant herself.

“I’m here to tell her and everyone here that I have your back,” he said.

Several speakers condemned the excessive use of force by the Trump administration in L.A. Supervisor Jackie Fielder, called the deployment of the National Guard and the Marines a “reckless” escalation. 

Kohl warned protestors to remain peaceful and not be provoked by the opposition. 

“They’re waiting for excuses, she said. “They will be planting agitators in these crowds to foment violence. Do not walk into their hands.”

Immigrant rights advocates also discussed ways to help immigrants and families impacted by ICE raids. April Newman, who works with the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ), said her organization is sending volunteers to accompany people to their immigration appointments and hearings. CCIJ has also established rapid response networks to respond to ICE raids and worked with volunteer immigration attorneys.

Newman encouraged the protestors gathering at City Hall to uplift the efforts of organizations like CCIJ.

“Join us, support and join local rapid response networks, court watch efforts and accompaniment programs. We must stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors if we allow the government to take away people’s right to due process,” she said.