Dear Community,
I’m writing with a heavy heart after learning that federal border control agents opened fire in Portland, putting our neighbors, our families, and our children in danger. This is not the first time, as we saw just yesterday in Minneapolis with the murder of Renee Good. What’s worse, we know it won’t be the last — unless we rise up together and demand accountability.
Let me be clear: this is not about border security. This is about stoking fear in our communities. It’s about a federal agency operating under the guise of “border control” that has been weaponized to target Black, Brown, and immigrant families right here in our cities, far from any border. These agents are not trained for urban policing. They are not accountable to local communities. And they are not here to protect us. They are simply here to intimidate us.
The Trump Administration has turned border control into a modern day Gestapo. There has been a clear pattern of escalation in recent weeks with Homeland Security deploying heavily armed, ill-trained agents into our neighborhoods with no oversight, no transparency, and no regard for human life. When they respond to nonviolent situations with bullets, we must say: NO MORE.
We must organize, mobilize, and protect each other, right now.
In this moment, we urge you to check on your neighbors. Join or support local mutual aid and legal defense networks; our communities are safer when we take care of each other. And make your voices heard. Join peaceful calls for action. Ensure our local representatives take action at the State and Federal levels and condemn this blatant risk to our safety and security.
This administration’s border control is not keeping us safe. Frankly, it’s tearing us apart. And we will not stand by while our neighbors are hunted in the streets.
We are not afraid. We are not silent. And we will not be terrorized.
In solidarity,
Candice Williams
For All Families Oregon (FAFO) (formerly Family Forward Oregon)
For All Families Oregon Action (FAFO Action) (formerly Family Forward Oregon Action)