Forefront on many of our minds is the unchecked abuse of power by ICE. We know that in Whatcom County, outside of the Mt. Baker roofing raid, most of the abductions are happening in the Everson and Lynden areas. One way to help is to understand what you can do if you witness or respond ICE activity. The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network has a virtual Rapid Response training coming up on November 5 from 6-8 pm. At the end of that training, those interested in joining a local Rapid Response team will be asked to complete a background check. Once that background check is completed and passed, those names will be sent to the local network – in our case, Whatcom Rapid Response. Sign up for the Rapid Response training here: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6UsBGfcqQQeYn85OZ67iOg?link_id=14&can_id=0aa6d098b4cf9e76891fe485196610b7&source=email-updates-from-our-august-general-meeting&email_referrer=email_2913862&email_subject=updates-from-our-september-general-meeting&&#/registration

Whatcom Rapid Response Team Training

Following the virtual training, we will be inviting a representative from the Whatcom Rapid Response team for an in-person info session and training for those wanting to engage further. We have a tentative date for Saturday, November 22 – location and time TBD. Whatcom County Rapid Response responds to active ICE activity to document and provide support to affected families. They also are developing a program called Court Watch that monitors ICE activity when vulnerable folks have court dates in Whatcom County. For those able to provide transportation to Immigration Court appointments in Seattle, they have an Accompaniment Program . They also provide information and connections to other organizations in the community – there are lots of pathways to support. The Whatcom team is really excited to hear there are people in NV who want to join them –  and they need more people in the north of the county! Confirmation of event details coming soon.