Street Roots • Aug. 3-9, 2018
Page 3
Editorial
Saturday rally a sideshow distraction to Measure 105
t is better to light a candle than to curse
the darkness.
I
If ever there was a time to aspire to that
philosophy, it is now.
On Saturday, the so-called Proud Boys and
Patriot Prayer movement will be busing in
people from out of state
demonstration, or
judging by their
rhetoric, instigate a
fight, on Portland’s
waterfront.
There’s no question
that violent provocation
is the goal, given
language used by followers of these groups,
and despite claims to the contrary by its lead
instigator. It’S a shipped in demonstration
intended for a televised audience of the
Opposition, all with a title suggesting it’s a
campaign rally for someone who is not even
running for office in Oregon.
What this really is, however, is a stunt to
incite violence and fabricate a victimhood for
the same white nationalist, anti-immigrant
minority that is also fueling the efforts in
Oregon to change our rules around local law
enforcement.
That’s the root of Measure 105, which will
appear on the Oregon ballot in November.
Measure 105 would repeal what’s become
known as Oregon’s “sanctuary law,” a statute
passed three decades ago to end the practice
by local officers of racial profiling people of
F llT fllllil
to draw support for Measure 105, Oregon law
already allows local law enforcement officers
to communicate with immigration officers
when an actual criminal offense has taken
place. And local law enforcement officers can
arrest anyone who is charged with a criminal
violation of federal immigration laws, or
to subject
stage a to arrest for the crime under a
warrant issued by federal magistrate.
The suggestion that our state’s policy
allows police and the public to harbor
criminals, as proponents of Measure 105 put
forth, is bogus. This isn’t really about crime at
all.
But that’s what you’re likely to hear
Saturday when the rally comes to town.
Hubris parading in place of the real issues.
We support the individuals and
organizations that will be standing there to
confront - if recent history bears out - the
white supremacy, Nazi salutes and racist
taunts expected at this Saturday. It’s
necessary we stand up against hatred.
But we also need to rise above merely
cursing this darkness. Getting lost in the
tactics of arguing only detracts from the
issues at the root of the argument. It
conflates what should be the real debate: the
need for authentic immigration reform and
justice, not this phony wrestling match. To
this, we need to bring out the best Portland
has to offer, not the worst.
Rather than letting them draw us into a
bloody brawl - adding to their propaganda -
perhaps it’s time to, brine put the trombones
color ¡under th e guise of im m igration
enforcem en t .^ e c ^ jis e th a t’s exactly w h at w as
happening three decades ago in th is sta te .
It was also intended to prevent federal
policy from usurping local resources, and
ordering them to act outside of their purview
of enforcing public safety. At the time of its
passage, it wasn’t framed as a sanctuary policy
at all, but rather common sense.
Oregon law states: No law enforcement
agency of the State of Oregon or of any
political subdivision of the state shall use
agency moneys, equipment or personnel for
the purpose of detecting or apprehending
persons whose only violation o f law is that they
are persons of foreign citizenship present in the
United States in violation o f federal immigration
laws.
But contrary to much of the rhetoric used
a n d tu b a s a n d g iv e t h e n p is e a r u n fo r
- ■
m oney. Onward M arch Fourth! Viva le Elvis!
Calling all Unipipers! Bring on the kazoo
band, break out in a chorus Of song, send in
the clowns! That would be a fitting response
to this low-rent sideshow.
But most importantly, vote. Because
Measure 105 is no joke. Its passage would
clear the way for racial profiling, extracting
local resources to enforce aggressive and
controversial immigration policies, and
unraveling a system put in place to ensure all
of us equal rights under the law. And check
with the elections office first to confirm your
eligibility to vote. It can’t be taken for granted.
Wherever you stand on immigration reform,
and much needs to be done, this measure is
the Worst response. Make your stand.
Write in
J
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written published
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Demonstrators at Occupy IC E event in June.