“While there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” – Eugene Debs, American Labor Leader
Last Sunday I attended a vigil outside of an ICE detention center in San Diego, just steps away from the border with Tijuana. It was eerie. We saw no one, other than the “Core Civic” private security guard driving by, patrolling the barbed wire enclosure. The detainees are being treated as prisoners, currently in a lockdown, due to sharing pleas for help with outsiders. Inside, people are locked down for sharing pleas for help with the outside world.
People are dying in these facilities. Others have died in the streets of Minnesota and other places, because they protested ICE. This has gone way too far. And it will get worse unless we stop it.
We CAN stop it. Here’s a list of things we can do. If you only have a few minutes, make a call to Congress. Join a boycott. Donate. If you have more time, join a protest. It matters. It’s a moral moment – we must act.
What You Can Do
- CALL: Make calls to Congress and demand accountability, including support #AbolishICE. The organization 5 Calls makes it easy – they summarize the issues and who to call. “We research issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a progressive position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices. All you have to do is call.”
- BOYCOTT: Economic pressure works. Several boycotts target companies enabling ICE. NYU Professor Scott Galloway started a “Resist & Unsubscribe” movement. Along those lines, we can pressure Citizens Bank to stop enabling ICE – here’s more on this excellent effort: TAKE ACTION | #BoycottCitizens.
- PROTEST: Visible resistance changes culture and politics. There are many anti-ICE protests being organized on a regular basis. You can find them here: Take Action | Indivisible. I’ve joined the “Visibility Brigade” doing the events on bridges over the freeway – in just one hour, we have shared a message with over 10,000 people!
- The next general protest of this administration will be No Kings Day on March 28th – events are happening all over the US. Let’s make this HUGE! Research shows that authoritarianism can be defeated if just 3.5% of the population engages in actively pushing back/protesting. Be a part of the 3.5%!
- DONATE: The 2026 elections present our biggest opportunity to save democracy and stop the brutal excesses. If you’re looking to where your donations to candidates can have the most impact, check out Force Multiplier. They research and recommend which Congressional races are most likely to flip the House and Senate.
- FOLLOW: Follow and support independent journalists and writers on Substack who are speaking the truth in an uncensored way. People like Heather Cox Richardson, Sherrilyn Ifill, Joyce Vance, and Heather Delaney Reese.
We’ve seen success from these types of efforts. We can’t do all of the things. It’s beyond any single one of us. But if each one of us does one thing, it adds up.
A Necessary Reminder
A closing note: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To that end, don’t forget self-care. We need to put on our own oxygen mask in order to help others. For me, it means limiting my media doses and choosing the times carefully. I also filter my information through sane voices that provide deeper perspective, such as historian Heather Cox Richardson. I have tea and journal early every morning, take long walks when I can, and I take photos of beautiful flowers and outdoor scenes. I spend quality time with family and close friends. These rituals and practices sustain me. They help me to stay centered and focused on my core values.
In sum, I’m keeping my sanity by hanging onto my moral core and taking action. I am living my values, every day, in small and bigger ways. Specifically, I am centering on fundamentals: kindness and our common humanity. And I’m building on that through taking action. It helps. Personally and systemically.
Onward!
From Force Multiplier Website
