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12
Jun

LWV Condemns Use of Federal Forces on Peaceful Protestors

0

June 12, 2025, from LWVNY.org and LWV.org

Logo for the League of Women Voters of New York, featuring the acronym "LWV" in blue with a red underline, and the organization's full name in blue and gray text.

A NOTE FROM THE LEAGUE

League of Women Voters Condemns Use of Federal Force on Peaceful Protestors

League of Women Voters of California Executive Director Helen Hutchison and League of Women Voters of the US CEO Celina Stewart issued the following joint statement in response to the deploying of National Guard troops against largely peaceful protestors in Los Angeles County.

“The President villainizing protestors is nothing but a performance to direct violence against the American people. By deploying the National Guard, against the wishes of state officials, the administration intends to cause fear and distract from their inhumane immigration raids.

“This administration is assaulting concerned Americans to silence voices of dissent. The President’s overreach signals a larger crackdown on protests across the country meant to intimidate us from speaking out.

“The President declared the protests as rebellion against the United States, a characterization he uses as his basis for overstepping his presidential powers to subvert the First Amendment right to association and protest.

“A functioning democracy must ensure that we the people can hold our government accountable without fear of violence from the government.

“The League of Women Voters condemns these actions and calls on the Secretary of Defense to call back the National Guard. We will not be intimidated into silence.”

ICE’s operations in Los Angeles and around California mark a troubling escalation – workplace raids coupled with the arrest of community members exercising their First Amendment rights to observe and protest. These tactics, along with the federal activation of the California National Guard and the deployment of U.S. Marines, weaponize fear to terrorize not just undocumented residents, but anyone who would stand with their neighbors or participate in democratic discourse.

LWVNYS is sharing essential resources, including this list of Rapid Response Networks across New York:

Rapid Response Networks
(see how they work by scrolling down)

New York City

Long Island

Hudson Valley

Central New York

Capital Region & Northern New York

Western New York

Statewide

How do they work?

  • If you see immigration agents in your community, call your local rapid response hotline.
  • A dispatcher will help you document the immigration enforcement activity and take information about anyone who was detained.
  • If there was an arrest, rapid response networks work to connect those affected to legal services and other support.

Know Your Rights Materials

Know Your Rights toolkit from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. This resource provides you with information on how to order or print red cards, rights documents in several languages, and more.

Red Cards

“Red Cards” are a valuable tool to have available for anyone who might need a quick and accessible explanation of their rights. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides instructions to print your own or, if you have resources to do so, you can order them. Ways to use red cards are outlined here.

Legal and Community Education Resources

Useful guides on ICE home encounters and immigrant rights are available in multiple languages from the Asian Law Caucus.

Please save and share these resources widely with your networks. Put your local hotline number on speed dial. Stand together. Check in on your neighbors. Educate others.

True democracy means everyone can live with dignity and safety.

League of Women Voters of New York State
1 Steuben Place
Albany, NY 12207
lwvny.org

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