Protesters on O‘ahu rallied against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on this past Sunday over two shooting deaths in Minnesota that happened just weeks apart.
Organizers called the demonstration at the intersection of Atkinson Drive and Ala Moana Boulevard an “emergency protest,” and demanded justice for Alex Pretti, 37, a U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
A border patrol commander said agents tried to disarm him, and he resisted, and an officer fired defensive shots out of fear for his life and the safety of other agents.
It is the most incendiary news cycle since the nation was roused by the death George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. With the passing of time and developments in this story, there was so much that emerged that revealed more truth. We are witnessing a variation on a theme in Minnesota but what is a common thread is the sweeping emotional narrative leading to a greater division in our country.
First things first.
There is no joy surrounding the Pretti or Good stories. I lament the loss of life, the impact to their families and friends and the continuing divisions plaguing our country. We have been treated to personalized stories of each including backgrounds, families, occupations and more.
I am not decrying the access to media those close to Pretti and Good have used to share their messages. As anyone of us who has experienced such grievous loss can attest that it is a painful and regretful experience. And to lose a loved one at the hands of law enforcement is not something I can relate to because that has never happened to me. But empathetically speaking, I can imagine their losses were exacerbated learning their deaths were at the hands of ICE agents.
The as of now, unsolved questions are how and why.
But there are so very many who have reached their own conclusions and this is on both sides. I am of the mind to opine on what we do know and hold accusations and assumptions until there is a verifiable explanation and conclusion by verifiable sources.
However I do maintain there is voluminous reporting and social media posts that present one side to the overall story of ICE. I hope to provide another side to what is for so many the accepted overall narrative regarding ICE, its operations and news coverage.
Some key points.
"ICE agents are untrained."
"The basic training for an ICE agent - ICE-D is a 13-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) integrated basic training program that consists of both FLETC and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training. FLETC training includes three written examinations. You are required to obtain a 70% or better on all FLETC written examinations. ICE training includes four written examinations. You are required to obtain a 70% or better on all ICE written examinations," per the Department of Homeland Security. There are requirements for speaking Spanish, physical conditioning and more.
DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a written statement that ICE officer candidates receive extensive training over eight weeks in courses that include conflict management and de-escalation. She said many of the candidates are military veterans, and about 85% have previous law enforcement experience. “All ICE candidates are subject to months of rigorous training and selection at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, where they are trained in everything from de-escalation tactics to firearms to driving training. Homeland Security Investigations candidates receive more than 100 days of specialized training," she said.
I understand there will be those who take exception to the aforementioned retort to ICE officers "are not trained." There are counter arguments from those in various spaces that will denounce the quality of training. As I mentioned before, I would rather base my opinion on what is verifiable. With the two pieces of official data from the DHS, the statements can be vetted for accuracy. I have not seen any discrediting of this training protocol except news reports citing politicians and academia for their opinions.
"ICE should be eliminated."
More Americans now support abolishing ICE than keeping it. A Jan. 13 Economist/YouGov poll found that 46% want to eliminate ICE, compared to 43% who support preserving it.
Polls.
Ugh.
Polling data is some of the most easily manipulated information anywhere. It's the pool of those polled, it's the phrasing of the question, and both are areas where it's controllable to reach a specific conclusion. Case in point; political polling during an election year. Candidates will often cite their own "internal" polling for a specific result. It's literally a selfie in a snapshot of time where emotions will supersede a true preponderance of questions posed. As an example, where is the margin of error in the above cited poll numbers where there is only a 3% difference? Exactly.
"ICE is targeting minorities and even children in separating families."
The mission of ICE is to protect America from cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws, combating threats like terrorism, trafficking, and illicit movement of people and goods, and upholding immigration integrity.
ICE accomplishes this by enforcing over 400 federal statutes, with key functions including immigration enforcement, investigations and removals, focusing on criminals, national security threats and maintaining lawful immigration.
Okay, but...
"ICE is too rough with enforcement."
I would counter that agitators among genuine protesters are too rough with ICE agents/officers.
Now, before you start rolling your eyes and yelling at your screen, simply consider the following.
I began this column referring to local protests being staged on Ala Moana Boulevard near the harbor. According to reports, hundreds attended, and you know what happened?
Nothing.
No confrontations, no traffic snarling or blockages, no illegal and classless behavior to law enforcement.
But you know what else happened?
Something.
Those who have grievances regarding the Minnesota stories and who oppose ICE and DHS successfully protested. Their peaceful congregation, respect for motorists, bikers and pedestrians, and law enforcement countered the actions in other parts of the Mainland. And their message was delivered and received via local news coverage and more.
Side note: Kudos to Hawai‘i News Now's A‘ali‘i Dukolow for his well chronicled and well balanced story pertaining to a controversial and multi-layered story.
I know there are those that are saddened to being outraged at what is taking place in our country. You have every right to believe what you believe, to speak out on what you believe and even proselytize others to believe what you believe. But we don't have the right to escalate, to assault, to berate and spew hatred to ICE or any other law enforcement officers.
Protest, yes.
Commit crimes, no.
Final thought regarding protesting and not inflaming.
When you are taking to the streets either here or there ask yourself one question.
Am I making my kids proud?
This is a rule of thumb all sides should embrace.
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