Santa Cruz and Watsonville declared “Freedom Cities” by ACLU created group

A new group is starting a campaign to defend those affected by President Trump’s immigration policies. It was started by the ACLU.

The group is called “People Power” and they’re working to get the support of Santa Cruz cities.

Their campaign is called “Freedom Cities” and they’re trying to get cities in Santa Cruz County on board.

So far, they’ve designated Santa Cruz and Watsonville “Freedom Cities” but they say they’re not finished.

Susan Forrest says she responded when the ACLU called on individuals to be part of People Power.

“They put out a request country-wide asking people all over the country to host an event March 11th” Forrest said. “It turned out that there were well over 2,000 people around the country doing this.”

The ACLU asked those who attended that night to reach out and encourage their local cities to protect immigrants and rate how well they were doing.

“What the ACLU wants the People Power people to do is ask the authorities if they are following the 9 model state and local law enforcement policies and rules” Forrest said.

According to People Power and the ACLU, those policies help “Friends, families and neighbors 1.) Defend themselves from Trump’s mass deportation agenda, 2.) Protect their privacy, 3.) Help them redress abuses and 4.) Ensure their protection from deportation.”

If the cities follow all those policies, they’re declared “Freedom Cities”, but not everyone supports that kind of movement.

“I think it’s ok but as far as people breaking the law, especially violent crimes, Santa Cruz should definitely be cooperative with ICE” said Santa Cruz resident Roxann Burdick.

People Power says their policies do follow the law and, so far their mission has been well received here.

“As it turned out, both Santa Cruz and Watsonville were in compliance with all of these” Forrest said. “As a matter of fact, they may have been in compliance for a long time.”

Forrest says they’re already evaluating two more cities in Santa Cruz County.

“What we hope to see is that Capitola and Scotts Valley are within compliance of these nine policies and procedures” Forrest said. “It would be wonderful if most of California, or all of California were the same.”

If you’d like to take a look at all 9 of the ACLU’s enforcement policies the “Freedom Cities” practice, click here.