Justice for All Thursdays
In-person event 11 am -1 pm outside the Burlington ICE facility
Greater Assabet Indivisible Network (GAIN) invites you to stand in solidarity with immigrants and resistance to ICE and their cruel and lawless detention of our neighbors on Thursdays outside of the Burlington ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations Office, 1000 District Ave. Burlington, MA 01803
Regardless of any other political views, you are welcome to join us and demand Justice 4 All, so long as you do so non-violently.
Our friends at Bearing Witness have been hosting gatherings at this location for many weeks. We are an unaffiliated group, but very much aligned with their values and mission. Our goal is to add to the total number of hours that citizens stand in non-violent opposition to the deplorable detainment conditions at this location. If you have been to Bearing Witness on Wednesdays, we would love to have you at Justice 4 All on Thursdays
RE: parking; the Macy’s overflow lot is no longer available to us. You’ll have to find other places to park, but be thoughtful.
Schedule (note weather condition modifications below
11:00 AM – Justice 4 All Program (Including B-Vocal with some spicy holiday-themed songs!)
11:00-11:30 Welcome; music; announcements
11:30-12:30 Stand with signs along District Ave
12:30-1:00 Optional short march down to Mall Rd.
What happens at this ICE office?
ICE personnel depart from District Ave. in unmarked vans with tinted windows on missions to abduct immigrants across New England. Immigrants may also show up at the office for appointments. The facility on District Ave was never intended to be a detention center, yet immigration lawyers and media interviews reveal that people are now being housed here in conditions that have been called “abysmal” and “unsanitary.”
What to expect at Justice 4 All?
We are committed to nonviolence, and we stand peacefully with signs outside the facility. We do not block the entrance, we do not physically approach ICE agents as they walk to/from the parking lot, and we do not block traffic on District Ave.
Re: Signs. This is a very targeted action outside the ICE facility, so it’s not the venue for protesting other causes. Even though we care deeply about other issues, while outside ICE we must remain focused on immigration.
Also important, beginning tomorrow, Toni Rae Matloff, a J4A regular attendee from the beginning, will be collecting and distributing food directly to immigrants in need at Justice 4 All. She is planning to stand near the stop sign with a sign reading “FREE FOOD / COMIDA GRATIS” and simply give a bag of needed supplies to anyone who wants them.
The greatest current needs continue to be tea, coffee, and cooking oil. Toni will have empty bags for you to share with a friend who may want to contribute the following weeks and she is open to all forms of donation.
Consider bringing one of the following:
1. Cooking Essentials, like olive oil, canola oil, flour, sugar, and spices like garlic powder, minced onion, oregano, basil, chili, salt, pepper, and cinnamon.
2. Baby Formula, baby food, diapers, pull-ups
3. Shelf-stable dairy and nondairy milk
4. Cereal, Kid snack packs, protein bars, food that kids can cook themselves (ie Kraft Dinner, meal in a can)
5. Feminine hygiene products, men’s shaving products, cleaning products, toilet paper
6. Jarred jalapeños, jams, condiments, curry pastes, instant gravy packages (best are add water), dried fruit, nuts/seeds, popcorn
7. Gluten Free Food: pasta, cereal, baking mixes, salad dressing, condiments
8. Birthday Bag: All in one cake mix, canned frosting, candles etc.
She would also like some special treats for the kids – snacks, coloring books and crayons, etc.
Join us Thursday morning.
NB: The weather can affect the schedule;