It is being reported that two community members were kidnapped by ICE today in pdx, one who was on his way to work and another who was with their 13-year-old child outside of a school.
Here is some info on what to do and who to contact if you see anything, as most of the information I’m seeing is on other social media platforms:
If you see someone being kidnapped by ICE, or even hear about it, call the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC). If not first hand, it’s best to have the direct witness call. While it does have “Portland” in the name, this is a statewide rapid response network that can send local responders to the site anywhere in Oregon. PIRC’s number is 1-888-622-1510. PIRC can verify if it is/was ICE, a rumor, or other law enforcement. If it is ICE, they activate lawyers and other rapid response. If you see ICE trying to kidnap someone, the first thing to do is call the PIRC hotline as quickly as possible and film what you can.
If you are filming, the more context you can get the better. If there is a break in dialogue between ICE agents and the person they are kidnapping, you can narrate into the video recording what exactly happened before you started filming, etc.
SALUTE (Size, Activity, Location, Uniform, Time, Equipment) is good to remember what information you should collect:
SALUTE:
Size: Number of officers
Activity: What are they doing? How are they treating the person? Did they show a warrant? Are they using excessive force?
Location: Whereabouts of the activity? Be as specific as possible. (Ex: heading north on Sandy, NW corner of the Trader Joe’s parking lot)
Uniform: What are the agents wearing? Plain clothes? Federal or local police labels? Armor? Get as specific as possible if and when noting specific agencies.
Time: What date and time is it happening?
Equipment: Do they have handcuffs? Are they armed? What kind of vehicle are they driving? License plate number? How many vehicles? Were any munitions deployed?
Another thing you can do is to try to get more information from the person being kidnapped. Try to get the name and, if possible, the birth date of the person being detained. This information is helpful in two ways. First, attorneys need to know the name and birth date to activate a legal response to secure a person's release. Additionally, it is really helpful for people who are trying to locate a missing loved one. If you or someone with you is able to, get all the information to PIRC immediately. Other helpful information to get is the location of where they were born and contact info for a family member / loved one. With enough information, PIRC or family members can search the ICE detainee locator system to see if someone has been detained, which helps guide the response.
Reminder to not share unverified information about ICE whereabouts. It creates panic and fear in the community and can distract from responding to where ICE actually is
If you don't know the universal hand signal for help, please check this out. I just learned myself, years after it was created. It could save a life. The fingers folding over the thumb is to represent being trapped. Please boost for everyone
