Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge addressed the council at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting and released the following letter to community members concerning the ICE presence the our city.
To My Fellow Eau Claire Residents;
I want to acknowledge how difficult and frightening this time is for many in our community.
The increased ICE presence and enforcement actions by the federal government are
creating fear and causing people to feel unsafe. While these are federal policies enacted
by the President and Congress, and some may support them, the reality is that many
people – people we care about – are afraid right now.
It is traumatic for communities to witness people taken off the streets by masked federal
agents and for families to be separated when someone leaves home and never returns.
Community members may have many different concerns at this time. Some fear for
themselves, friends, or family members. Others fear for their constitutional rights and
freedoms, such as freedom to speak out and protest.
In times like these, we must lean into community and take care of one another. I do see
our community stepping up and helping each other, and this is what gives me hope.
Finally, I want to be clear in saying I stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. Our
City values being a welcoming community where all feel safe, respected, and
connected. No matter where we were born, we are all human, and our shared humanity
must always come first.
Sincerely,
Emily K. Berge
President
Eau Claire City Council
