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Centro Del Pueblo hosts Sanctuary Day August 23rd · KMUD News

• 0:00
  Speaker A: Since December 21st of 2018, Humboldt county has been governed by the Sanctuary Ordinance, also known as Measure K, codified in Humboldt county section 9121 5. The ordinance prohibits the use of county funds and resources for federal immigration enforcement. Specifically, it states in quote, no department, agency, commission, officer or employee of the county of Humboldt shall use any county funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law or to gather or disseminate information information regarding release status of individuals or any other such personal information in the county of Humboldt, unless such assistance is required by Federal or state statute, regulation or court order or decision. Central de Pueblo, a leading organization supporting immigrant rights and providing essential resources to the migrant community, will host a Sanctuary Day this Saturday the 23rd as a part of ongoing efforts. This event aims to raise awareness and strengthen community protections. KMUD News spoke with Peyton Leone, a part of the Youth Council and Grant Writer for Central de Pueblo, to learn more about the upcoming event and the organization's ongoing work.
• 1:11
  Speaker B: Yeah, so yeah, Sanctuary Day is a celebration of the sanctuary laws that were passed through Humboldt, Measure K and also in Eureka and Arcata, Eureka being the most recent one that passed. And Arcata has been a sanctuary city for a while now, so we're happy that those laws are in existence. There's also sanctuary law for California as a state. So all these together provide protections for our migrant people in Humboldt and in California. So in celebration of that and the lives of our migrant community, their stories, the culture they bring, we're going to be putting on a Sanctuary Day in Arcata on this Saturday the 23rd.
• 1:51
  Speaker A: The California Values Act SB 54, signed into law in October 2017 and effective as of January 1, 2018, ensures that no state or local resources are used to assist in federal immigration enforcement. This law helps protect the integrity of vital community spaces such as schools, hospitals and courthouses by making them safe and accessible for everyone regardless of immigration status. This commitment reflects the core values of inclusion, dignity and justice held by many in Arcata. In alignment with these principles, the City of Arcata has also been designated a sanctuary for two Spirit transgender, gender, non conforming and intersex individuals, reaffirming its dedication to protecting and uplifting all members of its community.
• 2:35
  Speaker B: Yeah, it's also another excellent bill and measure passed by the city recognition of these protections and the safety of these people's lives. We know that folks that are LGBTQ and two spirit and transgender, their lives are often in danger and at risk of different like of suicide, of being victims of crimes. We know that These statistics exist. So I'm glad to see the city is at least recognizing it and putting it on notice to everybody in the entire city and the area that this, our city, is a sanctuary for these, you know, for different communities. It's really important right now, especially as we're seeing attacks on, like, the word sanctuary coming from the highest levels of our government. It's something really that they're making very political is to like, take away sanctuary protections from, from the Trump administration. So I'm glad to see that ARCADA is not shying away from it and they're still passing sanctuary measures.
• 3:31
  Speaker A: Leonie speaks with KMNUDI to explain what it means for a county or city to be designated as a sanctuary and addresses common misconceptions circulating in the media.
• 3:41
  Speaker B: So sanctuary, despite what people might be posting or like saying about it in on different news channels, you know, our political talk, folks, like all sanctuary means is that if you're not convicted of a serious felon, felony or crime, then you cannot be handed over to ICE from our county jails. And it also limits the way that the police in ARCADA and California can interact with ice and again, limits it to just only like, serious and grave crimes. So it's very needed. There's other parts of the country where you could be sent to an ICE detention center for having a headlight out. And that's just not, that's not fair. It's not just, it's not something we want to see in our city, so, or our state. And that's why they're being attacked so heavily by this administration.
• 4:29
  Speaker A: While community organizations and voices play a vital role in promoting positive values across the city, Leone also emphasizes the importance of action at the local government level.
• 4:40
  Speaker B: Well, the city has an important role of first, like addressing it, which is, you know, it was a campaign that we had, that we had to do and it takes, maybe convincing is the right word, but definitely awareness and effort. And from hearing from folks who it first, like, the firsthand effects of this are felt for us, it's really important that the city is one in like we're on the same page with it and going forward that they don't, they don't shy away from, you know, declaring themselves a sanctuary and they're proud of that title rather than being fearful of any of the prosecution that they could face for that because for them it's optional. Their, their support for other people, it's part of their lived experience and they don't have the option of shying away from it just because the times are getting heavy for them, so we just ask that everyone stand in solidarity together right now and people come out to our event this Saturday.
• 5:31
  Speaker A: Solidarity and sanctuary day on Aug. 23 will start at 8am from the Bay Trail in Eureka to Arcata. Departure happens behind the target and will go to the marsh. 11am to 1pm will offer the Sanctuary Garden where there will be tacos, culture and arts from around the world. The Water Ofrenda and Aztec Dance ceremony will also take place from 9 to 10am on Aug. 23. More information can be found on Centro de Pueblo's website at cdpueblo.com or KMUD will have flyer information with contacts under the story@kmud.org.