Lacey equity commissioner calls on council to take stronger stance against ICE
A member of Lacey’s Equity Commission urged the city council on Tuesday to do more than just read a proclamation in support of immigrants, but to make a stronger statement in the context of what is happening with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.
Commissioner Annie Clay acknowledged that the Keep Washington Working Act, which was read aloud as a proclamation by the council before she spoke during public comment, limits the “use of resources and facilities to enforce the ICE agenda.”
But she didn’t feel the proclamation went far enough. She prefaced her comments by saying she was speaking as a private citizen; however, she currently serves on the equity commission. Her term expires at the end of 2027.
“It’s all well and good, but I believe that the city council should make a stronger statement, a public statement that the community will really hear — that we oppose the rounding up of non-criminals who are following the asylum and immigration protocol, that we are horrified that people are being killed in the streets, that we don’t support the detention centers that make a profit over rounding up men, women and children with very little health care, inadequate food and inadequate legal assistance.”
Federal immigration officials are accused in the recent shooting deaths of two Minnesota residents: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Although Clay called on the council to make a stronger statement, the council did not act on that request during the Tuesday meeting.
Clay is not the only public official to raise concerns about ICE. Over the summer, Olympia City Council member Clark Gilman alerted the council to three separate ICE incidents that he became aware of in the city.
“Multiple vehicles and a whole bunch of people getting out with masks on to grab a person,” he told the council. “I’m glad to be doing my best to represent our constituents in this awful situation.”
The Minnesota shooting deaths have prompted greater concern about ICE, resulting in downtown Olympia protests and the questioning of a Thurston County Sheriff’s Deputy outside Seven Oaks Elementary in Lacey that was captured on video.
The woman who asked the questions and posted the video later said she was suspicious that law enforcement may be collaborating with federal immigration officials, The Olympian reported.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders responded as well, according to The Olympian report.
“We’ve said it 100 times, if not more at this point,” he said. “We follow state law. It states we will not participate in immigration enforcement.”
The Lacey City Council read that 2019 law aloud as part of its proclamation.
“The city of Lacey supports the Keep Washington Working Act and is committed to encouraging cooperation between immigrant communities and local government to reduce the fear of accessing services, reporting crimes and promoting public health and well-being, so that all community members feel safe fully participating in the community without fear of discrimination.”
State Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews spoke during Tuesday’s meeting, too. Despite the concerns that the proclamation didn’t go far enough, she thanked the council for it.
“I can’t tell you how much this proclamation means to people,” she said. “We get phone calls, emails, when I’m out visiting with people, they’re terrified.
“Our communities aren’t good when people are terrified,” Matthews said. “We are an ecosystem, and when people are hurting, it impacts everyone.
“And so I just want to acknowledge that sometimes, just saying it, putting it on paper, affirming your commitment, means a lot to people who feel unseen and unheard.”
