**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Contact: Jennie Smith-Camejo, (510) 710-0201, jennie.smith-camejo@seiu1021.org

From SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford:

“SEIU 1021 members were outraged to learn that Angelica, a U.S. citizen and the child of one of our own members, was violently arrested by ICE in San Francisco while exercising her first amendment rights. Angelica was protesting the injustice of ICE’s detention and abduction of an asylum seeker showing up for their immigration hearing — following the rules laid out for them. While Angie has now been released, she still faces federal misdemeanor charges. We take this attack on someone standing up for what is right as an attack on us all.

“It’s common knowledge that the Trump regime has been using ICE to target and terrorize immigrant communities and people of color more broadly — sweeping up and disappearing people who are just going about their lives, trying to earn a living and take care of their families like everyone else. But they are also using intimidation tactics and brute force to silence those of us, like Angie, who dare stand up against these injustices and for those being disappeared. In addition to detaining Angie, they used pepper spray and batons to attack protesters and even journalists yesterday.

“We have a message for Trump and his army of henchmen who cover their faces and conceal their identities as they violate civil and human rights: We will not be afraid. Working people of all colors, ages, ethnic backgrounds, and across industries through our unions will keep standing together, showing up, and speaking out. We will defend each other and those who may not have a union but are human beings with inherent value, dignity, and rights. We will not be cowed into silence.

“San Francisco is OUR city. The United States is OUR country. We will fight to defend democracy and the civil and human rights of everyone who is here, regardless of where they came from, the color of their skin, what language they speak, or what they do for work. We will not recognize dictators in the U.S. and we will not stand by quietly as you try to dismantle what working people have built, tear families and communities apart, and rewrite laws and maps to further enrich the billionaire class at the expense of the rest of us. 

“We call on union members and all working people to show up in force on Labor Day to show that we are not afraid and that we will keep standing up and showing up for each other, for our rights, and for our democracy. San Francisco unions are calling for us all to show up at the 16th and Mission BART plaza at 11 a.m. on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, to march to Dolores Park. Be there. Wear your union colors with pride. Let’s show them: We are not backing down. Not now, not ever.”

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SEIU Local 1021 represents nearly 60,000 employees in local governments, nonprofit agencies, health care programs, courts, and schools throughout Northern California, including seven private colleges and numerous community colleges. SEIU Local 1021 is a diverse, member-driven organization with members who work to make our cities, schools, colleges, counties, and special districts safe and healthy places to live and raise our families.