Rapid Response Resources: Trump Unleashes Military on Americans

Rapid Response Resources: Trump Unleashes Military on Americans

The Trump Administration's continued attacks and encroachment on local and state authority, has persisted, despite a mass of citizens, elected officials, and organizations fighting back and providing ample sway against their efforts. Since this summer, Trump has sent or attempted to send National Guard troops to five cities: Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Portland, Oregon; Chicago; and Memphis, Tennessee. According to a leaked memo, the National Guard is building a “quick reaction force” (QRF) of some 23,500 troops trained to deploy to U.S. cities by early next year. We are all made less safe from these authoritarian actions. 

States and cities have filed lawsuits to block the deployments. While National Guard deployments face legal battles, masked federal agents are terrorizing, kidnapping and killing innocent people across the country. The murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis is not the first ICE shooting, and it is not the first time a civilian has been killed during a vile anti-immigrant operation. According to gun violence investigations in The Trace, federal agents have shot people 14 times since last January, killing at least four; on multiple occasions, officers shot at people observing ICE raids and people attempting to drive away.

People are organizing to protect each other and safeguard our freedoms, leveraging the power of community care, media, protest, and joy. This fight is incredibly difficult, but it is not without its victories. And elected officials across the country are bravely playing a critical role in protecting constituents and standing in solidarity with communities targeted by these federal actions.

Tactics like these are not new. The Trump administration’s abuse of federal preemption is rooted in a long-history of authoritarian practices in the United States, where white supremacists and corporate elites leveraged preemption laws to centralize their control and undercut community power– specifically targeting Black elected officials, and communities passing local laws that build community wealth and threaten concentrated wealth.

• Cristine Soto DeBerry of the Prosecutors' Alliance links these military deployments to larger abusive preemption trends, such as efforts to undermine reform-oriented prosecutors. 
• Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center, links the Trump administration’s billionaire-backed efforts to criminalize homelessness as textbook authoritarianism.

Communications: The Vera Institute of Justice’s messaging guide on federal overreach and the deployment of troops in cities emphasizes that these actions are a political power grab rather than a true safety strategy. Local Progress’ Policy Bulletin on Protecting First Amendment Rights includes best practices including developing clear, measured communications strategies. Lastly, ASO Communication’s Freedom Over Facism Toolkit offers guidance. In order to craft the right kind of messaging for your audience, take into account these three points: (1) Lead with Shared Values (2) Name the Villains and Expose their Motivations (3) Close with a Positive Vision for the Future: Close with a vision for a better future and a call to action for how we can achieve it.

Take Action: Litigation plays an integral role in combating the Federal Government's overreach and invasion of our communities. Preparing for this in advance, will allow even local governments to seek injunctive relief quickly, and stop unlawful practices. Consider directing your jurisdictions attorneys to draft papers to challenge the National guard or military deployment. At the very least, communicate with your governor and state attorneys office who are also considering litigation. Local Progress’ Policy Bulletin on Protecting First Amendment Rights includes guidance on how to coordinate with municipal attorneys to challenge deployment in court. And SiX’s Protecting Immigrant Communities toolkit details policy, constituent services, and other essential tools to defend immigrants and protect civil liberties for all.

Direct action can include:

• Cancel local consensual agreements with federal law enforcement agencies to prevent federal law enforcement crackdowns on protest and dissent. 
• Ban the use of existing surveillance technologies and prohibit acquisition of any new technologies. Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are a strategic place for local elected officials to disrupt the surveillance of immigrants, protestors, and other vulnerable communities. 
• End or limit local participation in Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and fusion centers.
• Cancel municipal and state contracts with data brokers that make personal or sensitive data available to law enforcement agencies, including ICE, and including through third-party vendors. You can find more detail in this report from Just Futures Law and Mijente.

Communicating with your colleagues as well as the community, will also play a key role. Holding regular meetings, and providing up to date information in regards to military deployment, and escalations being made by law enforcement, will build a more cohesive strategy, and hamper any miscommunication. With this network in place, connect with local immigrant rights organizations, labor unions, and other community based organizations, and coordinate with grassroots partners to relay information and share resources to support those who are experiencing the brunt of these attacks and escalations.