No, they don’t do racial profiling, of course not. Really? The video is alarming. On Tuesday as Andrea Velez, a 32-ywar old Latina, was being dropped off at work in Los Angeles, and all of a sudden two ICE agents grabbed her, threw her to the ground, handcuffed her, and pushed her into an unmarked car. The LAPD just stood around, keeping people from interfering.
Held for over 24 hours by ICE, which now claims she is being charged with assault – look at the video – who assaulted whom? There was no contact with her family until the videos surfaced on social media. Her family’s lawyer was finally able to track her down, and she was released – with bruises from being pushed to the ground.
How would you react if two large burly men grabbed you and shoved you to the ground? Not well, I suspect. The continuing lawless activity of ICE is a serious issue. Although we may not be targeted now because we don’t “look foreign,” if just being dropped off for work results in this for Andrea, we must ask, “Who’s next?”
Prayer for the Day
Concern is too weak a word, O God,
As we see people dragged off our streets;
Alarm is a better word for how we feel, O Lord,
As images of masked men push and grab people.
We ask, O Holy One, what has become of us,
When we turn our heads because we are not targeted.
In the name of the One who calls us to respond,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
They’re alleging Ms. Velez assaulted an ICE officer. Now imagine this — you’re just dropped off at work. You’re walking on the sidewalk and a 6-foot man in full armor and weapons, with his face shielded, starts charging at you. And that’s what she experienced. Now, who committed the assault here?
Gregory Russell, attorney for the Velez family
My mom looked at the rear mirror and she saw how my sister was attacked from the back. She was like: ‘They’re kidnapping your sister.’
Estrellla Rojas, sister to Andrea Velez
Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent,
Who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s, and under their lips is the venom of vipers.
Psalm 140: 1-3