Lessons Learned From the ICE Forum
To the Good People of LD17 Democrats: Thank You
Every single effort matters—canvassing, protesting, phone banking, donating, attending meetings or town halls, writing postcards, serving as a PC, or volunteering with nonprofits and pro-democracy organizations. All of it makes a difference.
We make a difference because we are informed, engaged, and organized. We can debate, disagree, and still come together—practically and persistently—to change politics, systems, and outcomes.
As part of that effort, I helped organize an online forum in late February: “Know Your Rights: ICE Comes to Tucson.” The event reflected LD17’s commitment to informing our community about critical local issues. Our panel featured immigration attorney Mo Goldman, Erica Connell (50501 Arizona), Rolande Baker (Tucson Rapid Response), and Kristin Downing (Pima Resists ICE), who offered important insights into the impact of immigration enforcement in Pima County and beyond.
During the discussion, Mo Goldman spoke about how the weight of injustice can intrude even into everyday moments. That feeling resonates. For many of us, empathy makes it difficult to look away—but it can also make the work feel heavy. To stay engaged, we must also seek out moments of connection, purpose, and community.
Across the country, communities are grappling with aggressive immigration enforcement actions that raise serious concerns about safety, fairness, and due process. These realities underscore the importance of staying informed and involved.
The panel also emphasized the broader context: division can be a powerful distraction. Rather than turning against one another, we are stronger when we focus on shared interests and common ground.
History shows that progress is possible when people come together across differences—grounded in democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to fairness and opportunity for all.
Finally, we are close to gathering enough signatures for the Justice for All petition, which would put immigrant legal representation on the November ballot. If you haven’t already, please consider signing or helping collect signatures to get us across the finish line.
Because every effort—yours included—truly does make a difference.