“Why did you murder another one of our neighbors?”
That was the question a Minneapolis resident asked an ICE agent. What has unfolded there and in other parts of the country is not a right/left political debate. It is a profound challenge to the core principles of justice and our Fourth Amendment protections.
Immigration & Customs Enforcement is subverting Americans’ civil liberties and constitutional rights. Their approach has led to thousands of arrests of American citizens and innocent, legal immigrants with no criminal history.
This is the direct result of a poorly trained, rogue force that operates without regard to our nation’s laws or any sense of ethics. It is an atrocity fueled by an administration willing to lie and defame in order to defend an immoral policy, labeling protesters as domestic terrorists when clearly they are not.
It is shocking, disturbing and wrong. Sadly, it has turned into tragedy.
When Renée Good and Alex Pretti were killed by ICE agents, their lives were taken not because they posed an actual threat, but because we are facing a brutal, state-sanctioned, militarized force that believes it has "absolute immunity" as our Vice President falsely claims.
If you haven’t watched the videos, good. They are horrifying. Alex Pretti was shot 10 times while being restrained by a group of masked agents. That’s not enforcement. It's first degree murder.
Fortunately, brave citizens across the country are standing up, protecting one another, walking kids to school, and recording the truth for the entire world to see. And so are countless organizations, governors, mayors and other elected officials who aim to hold this administration to account. There is hope.
We want to do our part. Prosperity Candle employs refugees and supports immigrant communities. Everyone is here legally, pays taxes, and contributes to the economy.
Yet we are all on edge for no reason other than the prospect of a gang of lawless thugs funded by our tax dollars circling the neighborhood in unmarked vans. That is not America.
This Stop ICE, Uphold the Constitution candle was created to light in your window each evening in solidarity and in memory of Renée Good, Alex Pretti and the many others killed, injured and unjustly locked up. It includes the Fourth Amendment which protects the fundamental right of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
We are donating 100% of the net proceeds to the ACLU and aligned organizations fighting for our collective rights.
To be clear, we are not advocating for the abolishment of border control. Nor do we support defunding the police. But we are joining a rising chorus of voices on both sides of the aisle to put an end to this. It is time to for all Americans to stand together in defense of the Constitution and what is right.
We welcome your comments and suggestions, and urge you to contact your Senators and Representatives to demand reform and hold ICE agents accountable for their actions.
