Plymouth City Council Members Share Thoughts on ICE Surge
The Plymouth City Council opened its meeting Tuesday with one of its members providing a statement on the large-scale operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota.
Plymouth City Council Member Joel Spoonheim shared perspectives that he says he heard from residents and employers due to ICE activity.
“While much of the news is focused on Minneapolis and St. Paul, here in Plymouth today, and in other suburbs of Minneapolis, people simply going to work and about their lives have been stopped, detained without warrants,” Spoonheim said.
Spoonheim said he visited a number of local employers. He said Operation Metro Surge has had “profound” impacts on their businesses.
“These are Plymouth businesses owned by community members who are following the law only hiring people allowed to work here,” Spoonheim stated.
“They told me that trusted, reliable employees are calling in to say they’re too afraid to leave their homes to come to work. These employees simply because the color of their skin or their names are at risk of being tackled, beaten and hauled away with no regard to their citizenship or legal status,” he added.
Spoonheim also spoke about impacts he has heard on children in school.
“Many parents have told me their kids are struggling to stay focused on their schooling because the children are afraid of what might happen to them,” said Spoonheim. “Plymouth children have seen the video footage of ICE agents using chemical irritants on students and teachers at Roosevelt High School. Plymouth children have friends and relatives who have been snatched up regardless of their legal status and with no due process.”
The Robbinsdale School District said a parent was detained Wednesday morning at a Crystal bus stop while waiting with their child to board a school bus.
Plymouth City Council Member Joel Spoonheim offered a statement on the federal ICE operation in the Twin Cities.
Spoonheim also offered ideas for residents struggling with what to do to help their neighbors. He suggested donating food to local food shelves, recording and reporting incidents to help people find their loved ones, and “above all, be kind.”
Other council members also spoke after Spoonheim’s statement.
“I ask everyone for grace, to give each other grace, and just be peaceful,” said Plymouth City Council Member Julie Pointner.
“Everyone wants to live peacefully. No one likes what’s going on right now,” added Plymouth Mayor Jeff Wosje.
You can view the full statement and discussion at the Jan. 13 City Council meeting at the following link: https://reflect-ccx.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/show/39344?site=19
Also see: Hundreds of Champlin Park Students Protest ICE in Walkout
