News Summary
Five Democratic Socialist assemblywomen led a protest outside the state Capitol, calling for support of the New York For All Act and highlighting concerns over immigration policies and ICE activities. The event was organized in collaboration with the New York Immigration Coalition to raise awareness about the impact on immigrant communities, school attendance, and local businesses. Despite limited political support for sanctuary policies, attendees emphasized the importance of legislative action to protect immigrants amid escalating deportation efforts and community fears.
New York Assemblywomen Lead Protest Demanding Support for Immigration Legislation
ALBANY, NY – Five Democratic Socialist assemblywomen spearheaded a protest outside the state Capitol that aimed to raise awareness about immigration policies and the impact of deportation efforts under the Trump administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The assemblywomen involved in the demonstration included Marcela Mitaynes, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Sarahana Shrestha, Emily Gallagher, and Claire Valdez.
The protest, organized in collaboration with the New York Immigration Coalition, halted traffic at the intersection of Washington Avenue and North Hawk Street. This action was taken to express concerns over increased ICE activities, including reports of intensified deportation efforts in communities and specific incidents occurring near school bus stops. Protesters voiced fears related to the safety and wellbeing of immigrants in New York, highlighting a growing anxiety around immigration enforcement within local neighborhoods.
Assemblywoman Mitaynes, speaking on behalf of the concerns communicated during the protest, noted a notable decline in school attendance and indicated that local businesses were facing workforce challenges due to the current immigration climate. The assemblywomen and the demonstrators aimed to emphasize the need for legislative action to address these ongoing issues.
A central focus of the protest was the proposed New York For All Act, a piece of legislation designed to prohibit state police from collaborating with ICE or federal border patrol agents. The goal of this act is to establish stronger protections for immigrants residing in New York State. Additionally, the protesters expressed their desire to be arrested as a means to draw further attention to their cause, further exemplifying their commitment to countering the current immigration enforcement climate.
Despite the protest’s intensity, Albany city authorities took steps to manage the demonstration peacefully. City officials placed garbage trucks in the area to disrupt traffic movement without escalating tensions. State police monitored the protest but chose not to make any arrests, aligning with Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s support for the right to protest and her indication of solidarity with the protesters’ cause.
While many Democrats in the Senate and Assembly have been hesitant to support the expansion of sanctuary policies statewide due to fears of backlash in the upcoming elections, Assemblywoman Valdez highlighted additional pressing issues like affordability and childcare that may overshadow immigration discussions in political discourse. This has sparked further debate on how to address immigrants’ rights and safety amid various state priorities.
Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, the chief sponsor of the New York For All Act, clarified that the proposed legislation would not inhibit the deportation of individuals convicted of crimes. Instead, it aims to restrict the use of state resources to assist ICE in its operations. This measure has gained support from various labor unions concerned about the negative impacts of ICE activities on the workforce and local economies.
Despite the support for the New York For All Act among progressive lawmakers, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie conveyed that state influence on immigration enforcement remains limited, categorizing it as primarily a federal issue. Meanwhile, national Republican leaders, such as Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, continue to advocate for increased deportations of criminals and overall reduced spending on resources allocated to undocumented immigrants.
Throughout the protest, attendees held signs and chanted slogans denouncing ICE and opposing current immigration policies, underscoring a strong call for action amidst heightened fears regarding the safety of immigrant communities and their implications on local societies.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS 6 Albany
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- Spectrum Local News
- Documented NY
- Wikipedia: Immigration in the United States
- Google Search: immigration legislation New York
- Google Scholar: New York For All Act
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Google News: albany immigration protest
