"The morning after immigration agents aggressively pursued a man near Hoover Elementary in West Oakland, many parents dropping their children off at school did so with a sense of anxiety and fear. Others were defiant, insisting that federal immigration operations won't disrupt their lives. Many were greeted by volunteer foot patrollers handing out flyers about how to identify Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles in the neighborhood. As rain battered the streets and sidewalks Thursday morning, Lindsay Imai Hong, a volunteer with the Immigrant Defense Committee, stood just outside Hoover's fence to warn families about possible ICE activities."
""ICE has been terrorizing families, they're scared to leave their homes, to go to school, to go grocery shopping," she told The Oaklandside. "Parents, teachers and neighbors are showing up to support one another and defend members of the community." It's the first known ICE action near a school in Oakland this year. Harriet Tubman preschool, an OUSD childcare center, is a block away. A crossing guard outside Hoover, who identified herself as Robin, said she hoped parents and families won't be too affected by the immigration enforcement action. "Let these kids go to school!" she said. "If kids don't go to school, they'll let Donald Trump have the upper hand. They want to make it so these parents do not bring their kids. To make them scared. Don't let him have the upper hand.""
"When a few kids started walking in close to the opening bell, Robin said she felt happy. "That's what I'm talking about!" she exclaimed as she got up quickly to wave through some drivers, saying to a couple that she loved them. "Thank god they're coming. Come on!" Thirty minutes before the bell rang, there was very little activity on Brockhurst Street, where the school's main entrance is located."
Immigration agents aggressively pursued a man near Hoover Elementary in West Oakland, prompting anxiety and fear among many parents during school drop-off. Some families responded with defiance, insisting federal immigration operations would not disrupt daily routines. Volunteer foot patrollers distributed flyers about identifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles. Rain fell as a volunteer from the Immigrant Defense Committee warned families about possible ICE activities. Nearby Harriet Tubman preschool is one block away. A crossing guard urged parents to continue bringing children to school to resist intimidation. When children arrived close to the opening bell, the crossing guard celebrated as families entered.
Read at The Oaklandside
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