What action is Olympia taking in wake of ICE activity across country?
Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne began Tuesday’s City Council meeting by saying he’s working with other elected officials to put together a plan for protecting residents of Thurston County in the wake of federal immigration enforcement in the United States and recent killings by federal agents in Minneapolis.
“I just want to express that we are heartbroken and angry about the recent killings of Alex Pretti at the hands of ... federal agents just a couple weeks after the shooting and killing of Renee Good,” Payne said Jan. 27. “Unfortunately, many others have died as well as the result of this presidential administration’s inhumane approach with immigration enforcement.”
Payne said no family should lose a loved one in this way, and that no community should have to live in fear “of the people who are supposed to uphold the law.” He called the actions deeply disturbing, and said it demands accountability, transparency and leadership from every level of government.
Payne said before the fatal shooting in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, he had been working with County Commissioner Carolina Mejia to set up a meeting with other elected officials and staff throughout the county to make sure they’re on the same page about immigration enforcement. He said that involves being prepared and clear about how they protect residents and public employees when “federal actions put our community members at risk.”
He said he hopes to cover a few topics in that meeting, including general immigration system information, responsibilities and limitations across jurisdictions. They would also discuss communication pathways between cities, schools, local law enforcement and county departments.
Payne said leaders would also discuss what lessons have been learned in other jurisdictions, including obstructions of emergency response, arrest or detention of public employees.
He said city staff are preparing information for Olympia residents regarding federal immigration enforcement, and he encourages folks to prioritize their safety.
“If you see what appears to be an altercation or a detention by a federal agent, please be safe,” he said. “Call 911, and Olympia police officers will respond to the scene and handle any necessary questioning.”
Payne said Olympia is a sanctuary city, which means OPD is prohibited from assisting ICE in any of their efforts to detain anyone in the community.
“Olympia police will ensure that there are legitimate agents on the scene,” he said. “They have warrants verified and maintain order for our community members. Our officers will also remain on the scene to record with their body cameras. You are also permitted to record an incident from a safe distance in a public space without physically intervening.”
He said the safety of everyone in the community remains their top priority.
Payne said the council has signed on to an amicus brief that’s led by the City of Boston and has been supported by multiple cities across the country. He said the brief argues that the “deadly surge of federal agents into Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, is an unlawful and unconstitutional effort to punish these communities and endanger Americans.”
He said he’s supportive of Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown’s proposed actions to “prepare for the worst,” should the federal government increase its presence in Thurston County.
“Our community deserves to feel safe, respected and heard, and these actions are steps within our local control toward building the knowledge, coordination and accountability needed to serve and protect everyone,” Payne said.
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