By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer

Nearly 1,000 people gathered July 17 at the Capitol to rally in protest of the Trump administration’s deportation raids, recent federal budget cuts projected to strip millions of their health insurance, and the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

The rally, organized by the Sacramento Central Labor Council, the Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign, NorCal Resist, and other labor and community organizations was held in honor of the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, who inspired generations of activists to make “good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Attendees carried signs that read “Resist Fascism,” “Defund ICE,” and many that echoed Lewis’ rallying cry: “It’s time to make good trouble.”

“I came out here because I’m tired of seeing people treated like they don’t matter,” said Janelle Washington, a South Sacramento resident who attended with her teenage son. “John Lewis risked his life to fight injustice, and I want my son to see that we have to keep showing up, just like he did.”

Dr. Tecoy Porter, pastor of Genesis Church, addressed the crowd with a powerful call to action. He declared that they stood in opposition to every voter suppression bill, every effort to criminalize protest, and every policy crafted to silence the people – especially, he emphasized, “that big, bad, ugly bill.”

“We see it all, and we will not be silent,” Porter said.

Rachel Hagen, who provides in-home services for her daughter, addresses the crowd at the Capitol about the risk of those in need losing services because of new federal laws that could cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER
Rachel Hagen, who provides in-home services for her daughter, addresses the crowd at the Capitol about the risk of those in need losing services because of new federal laws that could cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER

He reminded the audience that the United States was built on the blood and sweat of the oppressed, and that this nation does not belong to the few.

“Not to Trump, not to tyranny, not to fear, but to us, the people,” Porter said. “And we are the people.”

Rachel Hagen, an in-home supportive services provider for her daughter, said the care she gives allows her daughter to live at home instead of in a nursing facility – something made possible only through Medicaid.

“Without it, she would end up with no access or services to keep her alive and at home,” Hagen said.

Hagen added that she’s terrified not just for her own family, but for the many families who provide in-home care to loved ones and now face the risk of losing those vital services due to a federal law that could strip millions of their health insurance.

Fabrizio Sasso, executive director of the Sacramento Central Labor Council, also addressed the crowd, urging rallygoers to continue the legacy of activism and resistance.

The rally came on the heels of a South Sacramento federal immigration raid that same morning. U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted a surprise operation at a Home Depot, arresting at least 10 people. Among those detained was NorCal Resist volunteer Jose Castillo.

Giselle Garcia, an organizer with NorCal Resist, said Castillo was maced while attempting to record the agents. Garcia confirmed that Castillo since has been released from custody but is unable to comment due to pending federal charges.

Garcia said she was outraged by the raid and reported that the detained day laborers also were beaten and tased.

“The rounding up of our citizens is not normal,” Garcia said.

Rallygoers demonstrate denouncing recent immigration raids, the war in Gaza and newly passed federal legislation likely to leave millions of Americans uninsured. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER
Rallygoers demonstrate denouncing recent immigration raids, the war in Gaza and newly passed federal legislation likely to leave millions of Americans uninsured. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER

She added that immigration enforcement and restrictions on freedom of movement are not just Latino issues but affect everyone.

Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy confirmed the raid in a social media post the following day. The incident occurred in his district.

He said his office “will continue to support the community organizations that are working on the ground with our immigrant neighbors.”

Assemblymember Maggie Krell, who also spoke at the rally, went to the federal courthouse to verify the involvement of Border Patrol in the arrests. She said there is a court order explicitly prohibiting such immigration raids in Sacramento.

“In order to arrest somebody they would have to have a warrant or have reasonable suspicion,” Krell told The OBSERVER.

She said it appears the raid was carried out without proper legal justification and may have been driven by racial profiling.

“Now, they could come forward and say that each of those people was a suspect and that they had write-ups for each. Maybe, but they haven’t done that so they have to answer some questions,” Krell said.