The Empowerment Institute of the Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings (FMTK) Central Labor Council hosted an event to educate organization members on how to document Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and prepare for an ICE takeover situation in the Central Valley.
“Thats why we’re really here today,” said Dillon Savory, executive director of the FMTK Central Labor Council. “All of us feel a sense of urgency to do something.”
The Resist Summit took place on April 11 at The Big Red Church from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, but its impacts will continue to inspire the community all throughout the year. The event was collaborated with advocacy groups and community organizations such as PowerCA Action, Valley Forward and Faith in the Valley.
Organization members from across the Central Valley traveled to Fresno to attend the event.
“There’s the inevitability that Fresno or Kern County will be the next landing spot in California for a federal immigration takeover,” Savory said.“We have a lot of veterans and a lot of people that have not yet worked together on this issue in deep collaboration.”
The event opened with a poem by Fresno’s poet laureate Aideed Medina.
Marissa Moraza, campaign director of PowerCA Action, talks about the three Earths during her presentation.
Earth one is the flawed society that leads up to Earth two, Earth two is the dismantling of institutions during an authoritarian state, and Earth three is the solution that addresses the issues and problems of Earth one and two.
“This is a place where folks have access to different organizations and frameworks and how to respond,” Moraza said. “I also think it’s important for folks to continue building community as well.”
Eddie Thomas, political director of California Calls, talks about frameworks on how to organize and examples of overreaches of power after Moraza’s presentation.
“Its important for the community to recognize that they have the power to do something to protect the community and that they can do it in a safe and productive way,” Thomas said.
The event provided five breakout rooms, each discussing different topics containing different subjects, including Rapid response accompaniment, Peacekeeper roles, Mass civic action, electoral engagement defense and know your rights.
Students can keep up to date on future Empowerment Institute events here.
