GINI Organizes Protest Against GPD’s New “Show-Me-Your-Papers” Policy
Press Release from the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative (GINI):
WHO: GINI, community organizations, faith leaders and Gainesville residents
WHAT: Protest and call-in campaign demanding cancellation of General Order 82.4
WHEN: 4 p.m. Thursday, September 3rd
WHERE: 545 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
WHY: To demand the cancellation of GPD’s new immigrant profiling policy that directly ties our community with ICE, destroys public trust, and makes our community less safe...
The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) recently enacted a policy that requires all officers to file extensive reports on anyone they come into contact with who they suspect is an undocumented immigrant – including victims and witnesses. These reports will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which works directly with ICE. While GPD claims these reports are mandated by the state, other law enforcement agencies like Lake City Police Department and Ocala Police Department do not have similar policies in place and the statute cited gives no direction on what data to collect or how often.
In response, the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative (GINI) is coordinating a protest outside of the Gainesville Police Department to demand the rescission of this new “Show Me Your Papers” policy. This new order makes the Gainesville community less safe by damaging public trust in GPD and increasing fear in victims and witnesses of crime. Community members, regardless of immigration status, who do not want their personal information flagged for ICE will have to think twice before voluntarily interacting with a GPD officer.
“When local police act as an extension of federal immigration enforcement, people stop calling them. Victims of crime, witnesses, survivors of domestic violence — all become less likely to contact law enforcement when they need it most, for fear that a call for help will end in detention or deportation.” says David Arreola, Policy Strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) “There is no state law compelling this policy. Nor is there a state law that would punish GPD for rescinding it. The only thing standing between Gainesville and a safer, more trusted police force is a decision — one that City Manager Persons and Chief Moya have the authority to make right now.”
Our city is still reeling in response to the recent abduction and detention by ICE of 17 year old GHS student Sebastian Jimenez and his family this past weekend. With this new policy, GPD’s Student Resource Officers will also be required to report on suspected undocumented immigrants - directly impacting students’ and families ability to trust and feel safe learning at our local public schools.
“We cannot educate students who are fearful. They cannot learn if they can’t concentrate while worrying about whether or not, ‘today will be day’ they get deported.” states Claire Noguerol, School Counselor with Gainesville High School, “And make no mistake, this affects EVERYONE in our building, including staff and parents. Students are worried about their classmates and as adults and educators, our silence can be interpreted as indifference, disregard and apathetic.”
GINI will provide a guide for residents at the protest to use to make calls to Gainesville City Manager Andrew Persons and Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya. Attendees will join over 100 residents as the Gainesville community makes its demand clear: the cancellation of this destructive, unnecessary policy.
“GPD’s General Order is the scariest local policy I’ve read,” remarked Bobby Mermer, Community Organizer with the Alachua County Labor Coalition, “I fear many people I represent, especially renters, will not contact first responders when their lives or safety are at risk. It needs to be repealed.”
