What’s happening in Los Angeles is appalling. This abuse of power can occur anywhere, and in many ways, it is already pervasive.

This past weekend, we watched as community members in L.A. were abducted, detained without due process, and brutalized for demanding justice and safety. The deployment of the National Guard against residents is a violent escalation meant to silence dissent and sow fear. These tactics are authoritarian and fundamentally unconstitutional.

These actions are the result of a years-long campaign of hate and division, provoked and encouraged by Trump. From his first days in office, Trump pushed for aggressive and unjust ICE tactics, surprise raids, and the criminalization of immigrants and dissent. What we are seeing now is the dangerous outcome of that legacy.

Here in Maryland, we have already seen unjust and unlawful actions taken against our immigrant neighbors. ICE raids, detentions, and racial profiling have shaken communities across our state. Families have been separated, children have been traumatized, and too often, our elected leaders have stood by without action.

We stand in full solidarity with our fellow advocates in L.A., with local leaders on the ground, and with every person demanding the safe return of those who have been detained. We oppose the militarization of our cities and reject the use of force against people who speak out.

Protesting is not a crime. It is a First Amendment right. Any attempt to criminalize peaceful protest, whether in California, Maryland, or elsewhere, is a threat to all of us. When one community is under attack, all of us are at risk. 

We will not be silent. We will not be afraid. We will organize, speak out, and fight back alongside our neighbors. Solidarity is our strategy, and we will continue to build power until we are all free.