A rare summer opportunity

Hundreds of people gathered in National City Thursday to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and policies.

The turnout was reportedly large enough to slow traffic and temporarily interrupt bus routes.

The protest was one of many that have bloomed with increasing frequency across the country as a response to the federal government’s violent crackdown on immigrants—legal and otherwise—and their communities.

Two weeks ago ICE agents used flash bang grenades against protestors who were not happy with their presence in a San Diego neighborhood during a daytime raid on a popular restaurant.

Last weekend thousands of protestors in Los Angeles mobilized against ICE agents engaged in sweeps targeting working people at a variety of businesses. The protests gained the attention of President Donald Trump who deployed California’s National Guard to the area, without the governor’s consent and escalating the tension between citizens and authority.

And on Saturday hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people are expected to rally in “No Kings” marches across the country in protest of the Trump administration, which has empowered and emboldened ICE and other federal agencies to target anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally.

Protesting—for now—is still a constitutionally protected right granted to everyone in this country.

Marching and protests, however, are not the only way to bring about change.
South County voters are in a unique position. At this time they can vote with someone who represents their values at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Whether their support is with someone who tacitly endorses the status quo or who publicly stands with their point of view, the voter is in a position to make a change.
Last year, 77 million people voted for the current president, ushering in the current events of the day.

Obviously a county supervisor does not set national policy. But they do reflect a community’s values and is someone who will stand up for those principles. This summer voters can choose a representative who they believe will reflect their belief system.

Don’t squander the opportunity.