The Arlington Heights Memorial Library canceled an immigrants rights workshop that was scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017 out of “concerns for safety” after voice mails were received on the library’s phone system and the home phone of Arlington Heights Memorial Library President Deb Smart. Multiple calls were received from people objecting to the library workshop.
CANCELED WORKSHOP
Hendrickson – South
Monday, September 25, 7:00 pm – 8:15 pmHave questions about immigration, police and ICE? Representatives from the Community Activism Law Alliance will discuss what to do and say when in contact with immigration and police officers, what the new executive orders mean for undocumented immigrant, and how to prepare “emergency kits” to help families who may be at risk for detention or deportation make appropriate plans. Come with your questions.
You do not need to register for this program, you can simply show up on the evening of the event. No personal information will be collected.
Presenter: Community Activism Law AllianceNo Library Card Required
— Arlington Heights Memorial Library
The phone calls involved name-calling and threats, including a threat to call ICE to request a raid operation be conducted at the workshop.
The free workshop was sponsored by the Community Activism Law Alliance (CALA) and was described as a workshop that would inform immigrants on what to do and say when in contact with immigration and police officers, enlighten immigrants on current updates/changes to immigration law and policies, and provide information on how to prepare “emergency kits” when immigrants and families are at risk of deportation.
The official website of CALA described its mission as uniting lawyers and activists in a collaborative pursuit for justice by leveraging legal services to benefit the most marginalized communities and individuals.
“CALA is changing legal aid. We are changing how lawyers and communities work together. Our lawyers work with activists to help their communities access justice and pursue social change.”
— CALA Mission Statement
The library’s official statement, posted on official website ahml.info stated, “the decision to cancel the workshop was based on concerns for the safety and welfare of workshop attendees, library staff and library users.”
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