Local Jewish groups join national pro-immigrant movement

A crowd of protesters gathered downtown on Thursday morning to protest the actions of immigration agencies under the Trump administration.

The Thursday morning crowd in front of San Diego Immigration Court is nothing new; a general small but highly dedicated group of protesters have shown up every week in front of the immigration court for more than a year in order to keep the public’s attention and focus on human rights violations committed by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies.

This day, however, was connected to a day of national actions organized by Jewish groups Bend the Arc, T’ruah, and other organizations. In San Diego, about 150 people attended, many carrying signs that said: “Jews Demand: ICE Out!” and “Stop Illegal Detention.”

The event also prominently featured signs calling for a May Day strike on Friday, May 1.

Michael Rothbaum, rabbi for congregation Dor Hadash, said he doesn’t understand why there is not more of a Jewish presence at immigration actions. “For Jews, this should be basic,” he said. “This should be a no-brainer.”

Rothbaum and the crowd in acknowledged the names of those killed by federal immigration agents, both in and out of custody.

“The foundation story of the Jewish people is the story of the Israelite refugees,” Rothbaum said. “We… honor the immigrant and love the immigrant and respect the immigrant… because we know what it was like to live under the shadow of Pharoah, under the shadow of suspicion and surveillance,” he said, leading attendees in a singing prayer.

San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who represents Dist. 9, also appeared at the event at the event. “I’m a person who cares about people because that’s what you’re supposed to do,” he said, as the crowd cheered.

“While ICE represents and is many terrible things that thing that is most terrible to me is the way they are dehumanizing people,” he added. “One of the lessons I have learned as a Jew is that whenever we allow anyone to be dehumanized…. we are breaking a part of ourselves and making everyone less safe.”

He also called attention to the controversial proposed city budget, saying it hurts the same people who are currently being put in harm’s way by the Trump administration.

“We need people who care about people, who want to show up for their neighbors, to engage in that fight as well,” he said.

Representatives from Terra Lawson Remer’s and Paloma Aguirre’s offices were also present at the event.

Elo-Rivera said that he stands up for others because his parents taught him it was the right thing to do, and that he recognizes that no one ever truly stands alone — everyone is connected.

“I am a multi-ethnic person who has a family who has multiple religions, multiple ethnicities…Those are core parts of my identity,” he said.

That connectedness was this event’s theme, said organizer Wendy Gerlenter of Take Action San Diego, who pointed out that the people in attendance came from all ethnicities and beliefs.

“We are all here for the same reason,” she said. “We show up for one another, we defend our neighbors, we stand up for a democracy and we say no to the far right and harm inflicted by ICE on our communities.”