When due process counts

To those of you who are blaming the victims for not following along with ICE commands, imagine your name is John Rivers and you recently moved into 123 State Street. ICE is at your door looking for Juan Rivera. Try these possible scenarios on for size:

A. You say your name is John Rivers, not Juan Rivera. They say, “Sorry sir, our error, goodbye.”

B. I don’t care what you say your name is, you are arrested and held for three hours.

C. Your door is knocked down, you are zip tied, held for 24 hours, had a separated shoulder and are released.

D. Your neck has had a knee on it for six minutes, you are moved to another state and your loved one’s cannot find you for a week.

E. You are shot and killed, blamed for having a Spanish sounding name.

Due process and the law suddenly become very important to you.

Jim Baum

St. Charles