#immigrantrights — Public Fediverse posts

#AmnestyInternational Condemns Trump Threat of 'Very Heavy Force' Against #MilitaryParade #Protesters

The #FarRight Republican president, warned the #HumanRights group, "is continuing to send a clear and chilling message: #dissent will be punished."

Jon Queally
Jun 12, 2025

"The human rights advocacy group Amnesty International USA has issued a strong rebuke and warning in response to President Donald Trump's public threat to aim 'very heavy force' at law-abiding protesters voicing their constitutionally-protected #FreeSpeech during organized '#NoKings' protests scheduled for Saturday nationwide.

"In Tuesday remarks to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he didn't know of any planned protests timed to coincide with his $134-million parade, taking place on his birthday, but said if there are, 'these are people that hate our country.'

" 'For those people who want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force,' Trump said, making no distinction between peaceful demonstrators and those who might be more confrontational or even violent.

" 'Now is a good moment to remind President Trump that protesting is a human right and that his administration is obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly–not suppress them,' said Paul O'Brien, executive director of Amnesty International USA, in a statement on Wednesday.

"Trump's threat arrived after he overrode California Gov. Gavin Newsom to call up 4,000 National Guard troops in that state last weekend—and subsequently U.S. Marine forces—to confront large protests in Los Angeles that erupted in response to raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE) agents and the violent arrest of union leader #DavidHuerta, president of #SEIUCalifornia.

" 'The militarized response to protests, including the deployment of the #NationalGuard and the #Marines in #LosAngeles, further escalates tensions and is a chilling preview of even more human rights violations that could be coming,' warned O'Brien. 'The U.S. military is not trained or equipped to police civilians. It increases the risk of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and other violations of free expression and peaceful assembly. The Trump administration has already shown us that it will use any tool of the state, including ICE, police, and military forces to target #immigrants, #AsylumSeekers, #protesters, and anyone who dares to defend their rights.'

"Over 1,800 coordinated '#NoKings' protests are being organized for [#June14] to counter Trump's growing #authoritarianism and to coincide with the military parade Trump is throwing for himself in #WashingtonDC, at an estimated cost of $134 million.

"A new poll released Thursday shows a majority of Americans believe the parade is a waste of taxpayer money.

"Approximately 6 in 10 Americans also say Trump's parade is 'not a good use' of taxpayer funds, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That number of disapproving voters includes a number of people surveyed who have no particular criticism of the parade itself.

"Beyond the wasted cost, critics of the president warn that the more dangerous aspect of the parade is how the spectacle dovetails with Trump's broader authoritarianism, including his militarized response to dissent and weaponizing state power against his perceived political enemies.

" 'Make no mistake,' said Amnesty's O'Brien. 'President Trump’s response to protests has nothing to do with public safety. This is his administration’s way of stoking fear and suppressing opposition. By sending police, ICE, or the military into neighborhoods to silence voices calling for justice and human rights, President Trump is continuing to send a clear and chilling message: dissent will be punished.'

"Amnesty called for an immediate halt to Trump's 'militarized response' to public protest."

Listen / read more:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-heavy-force-military-parade-protesters

#Resistance #NoKingsEvents #TrumpIsAFascist #Resist #ImmigrantRights #CriminalizingDissent #PunishingDissent #AuthoritarianRule

#ICESucks agents use #PepperSpray and #SmokeGrenades to disperse LA #protesters

Rights group says at least 45 people arrested as people demonstrate against coordinated raids throughout the city

by Gabrielle Canon
Fri 6 Jun 2025

"The Department of Homeland Security conducted raids on multiple locations across Los Angeles on Friday, clashing with the crowds of people who gathered to protest.

"Masked agents were recorded pulling several people out of two LA-area Home Depot stores and the clothing manufacturer Ambient Apparel’s headquarters in LA’s Fashion District. Immigration advocates said the raids also included four other locations, including a doughnut shop.

"There has not yet been confirmation of how many people were taken into custody during the coordinated sweeps.

"At an afternoon press conference, #AngelicaSalas, executive director for the Coalition of Humane #ImmigrantRights, said at least 45 people were arrested without warrants.

" 'Our community is under attack and is being terrorized. These are workers, these are fathers, these are mothers, and this has to stop. Immigration enforcement that is terrorizing our families throughout this country and picking up our people that we love must stop now,' Salas told the crowd.

"The protest only grew as the afternoon wore on. By 6pm local time, hundreds of people assembled around the federal building in downtown Los Angeles, where those taken into custody during the raids are being held.

"Earlier in the day, armed agents clad in heavy protective and tactical gear, including some who wore gas masks, could be seen on video and through aerial footage pushing individuals and trying to corral large groups that congregated to challenge the raids.

"Smoke grenades were reportedly thrown near the crowds and pepper spray was used as the federal officers attempted to clear the area. As the demonstrations continued into the evening, videos showed officers firing less-lethal weapons toward protestors.

"Some people in the crowd attempted to block large #ArmoredTrucks carrying FBI agents as they departed. One person reportedly threw eggs at the vehicles.

"The Los Angeles fire department was called to the scene to administer aid to protesters injured by agents and officers, which included the president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union (#SEIU), #DavidHuerta. The organization said in statement he was detained and called for his immediate release.

" 'We call for an end to the cruel, destructive, and indiscriminate #ICERaids that are tearing apart our communities, disrupting our economy, and hurting all working people,” Tia Orr, executive director of SEIU California said.

" 'Immigrant workers are essential to our society: feeding our nation, caring for our elders, cleaning our workplaces, and building our homes.' "

#LosAngeles #ResistICE #Resistance #ICEProtests #USPol #ACAB #DHS #KristiNoem #NoBorders #WarrantlessArrests #Gestapo #NoHumanIsIllegal #LosAngelesResists

[2/3] #PineTreeActivism Calendar
Events for May 10th & 11th, 2025

Details confirmed as of May 8th

Share/Repost so Mainers know where to #RESIST!
Submit events to: [email protected]

MAY 10, Sat 12:00-1:00PM (& every Sat) – #BlueHillME
Town Hall, 18 Union St
Join Us in Weekly Peaceful Protest

MAY 10, Sat 12-1:00PM (& every Sat) – #MachiasME
16 O'Brien Ave, Veterans Memorial Triangle (bottom of College Hill)
Every Saturday Rally: Bring signs telling Susan Collins, Jared Golden, and Angus King what you need them to do to protect people in Washington County and to save democracy. www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/778577/

MAY 10, Sat 12-2:00PM (& every Sat) – #MillinocketME
Corner of Central and Penobscot
Peaceful Weekly Protest: Started early March 2025 with two people, this event gains every week. One of the older ongoing protests in Maine.

MAY 10, Sat 12-1:00PM – #RocklandME
12-1:00PM: Chapman Park, 294 Main St (Park & Main)
Sing Songs of Resistance with The Audacity in Rockland – Patriots, Show Yourselves! Nonviolent Demonstration to Defend Democracy.
www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/755899/

MAY 10, Sat 12-1:00PM (& every Sat) – #WaldoboroME
Rt1 & Main St (Park & Ride lot)
Join Us in Pro-Democracy Protest

MAY 10, Sat 12:30-1:30PM (& every Sat) – #BucksportME
Bucksport-Verona Bridge
Stand Out Against the Madness – dedicated weekly protest

MAY 10, Sat 12:30-3:30PM – #PortlandME
First Parish UU Church, 425 Congress St
Faith-in-Action Community Forum – To provide clarity around current issues facing the immigrant community & offer guidance on how best to support those in need. Speakers & panelists, information tables, snacks. Co-sponsored: Maine #ImmigrantRights Coalition & Multifaith Justice Maine
https://firstparishportland.org/events/faith-in-action-community-forum-may-10-2025/

MAY 10, Sat 1-2:00PM (& every Sat) – #PortlandME
Longfellow Square, Congress & State St
Longfellow Stand Out – #StopTheGenocide
Weekly stand-out in the heart of Portland: www.mvprights.org/events #MaineVoicesForPalestinianRights

MAY 10, Sat 1-5:00PM – #BelfastME
Belfast UU Church, 37 Miller St
#ResistanceFaire - Full program: http://bit.ly/4jbWRJf

cc: @AIF_Massachusetts

#MaineResists #MaineEvents #FreePalestine #BadDOGE #ResistAuthoritarianism
#ResistFascism #USPol