Local ACLU speaks out against Trump’s ban

At the annual meeting for the Monterey Chapter of the ACLU they talked about everything from reproductive rights to immigration being threatened. But it was the recent executive order by President Trump that was the hot button issue.

“This is just going to lead to a real explosion of Islamaphobia I think in communities, in schools, in bullying, in the workplace,” said Alan Schlosser, Senior Counsel for the ACLU.

The community room in the Marina Library was packed. People even stood out in the hall to hear the ACLU talk about what they said is the constitution under siege by the Trump administration.

“We are not safe right now, many of us are not safe right now,” said Maria Villasenor of Marina.

The meeting happened after President Trump’s order that prevents 134 million people from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering into the U.S.

“Heartbreak, just devastation immediately thinking about all the people that I know who might be affected by that,” said Alisha Ragland of Monterey.

“If they’re vetted, it’s a routine screening process that they’ll go through,’ said Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to President Trump. “If they’re not currently dangerous, if they’re not a threat, they will be disposed of on a case by case basis.”

The ACLU and other organizations battled the ban in court, where it was blocked by a federal judge.

“He can call it, say it’s something else, but the fact that this order exempts Christians,” said Schlosser. “I think it just reflects this incredible bias against Muslims.”

The national organization said the order spells trouble for Monterey County and any other immigration communities, as it opens the doors to raids.

“As a Latina I’m very worried,” said Villasenor. “I wouldn’t say that I am feeling super hopeful.”

The ACLU said it has a seven point plan of action in place to take on the Trump administration.