The Rev. Joseph Stanley Jr. has had humanity on his heart lately as he has read and heard about the rapid increase in immigration enforcement in the Columbus area.
Pastor of the Greater Twelfth Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus’ South Linden neighborhood, Stanley decided to reach out to Ohio Rep. Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus.
Together, the two decided to host a Faith Leaders United press conference on Dec. 20 at Stanley’s church on Cleophus Key Boulevard across the street from the Douglas Community Center to make it clear that faith leaders will not stand for what is going on in the community now.
The event addressed the increased arrests and enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and their associated Homeland Security Investigations agents that have been taking place in Columbus since at least Dec. 17, which also prompted responses from city and county officials, advocates and more.
There were an estimated 15 to 20 ICE arrests each day in Columbus on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18, according to immigration attorneys and advocates, social media and news reports.
On Dec. 18, an ICE spokesperson said in a statement that enforcement actions are part of “ongoing efforts to uphold public safety and enforce federal immigration laws.” However, the agency has not provided specifics about those being arrested except for two men, one from Somalia and one from El Salvador, who have had criminal charges and were on final orders for deportation.
On Dec. 19, two men were reported arrested by ICE agents at The Gardens Apartments on the city’s Northeast Side, according to video, photos and information provided to The Dispatch.
Despite a statement by Dublin City Schools’ superintendent that an ICE arrest occurred “far” from Dublin Scioto High School, video reportedly taken by a student and provided to The Dispatch showed one woman who was the mother of a student being arrested by ICE and a second woman who had been speaking up for the first also taken into custody.
‘It is personal’: Faith leaders, politicians address ICE activity
Present at the press confderence were leaders from a variety of faiths; Mohamed; State Sen. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus; State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus; and State Rep. Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus.
“What we are experiencing right now is not theoretical but it is personal,” Stanley told a group of about 60 assembled at the church.
He prayed for compassion where there now is only policy.
“We are gathered because members of our community are currently in fear,” Stanley said. “As the pastor of a Black Baptist church, I want to be very clear: We are some of the first who should be standing up and locking arms with our brothers and sisters in this moment because this is not the first time we have been here.”
Stanley brought up how Black residents know what it’s like to be targeted, to be policed differently and, that while he respects the law, he knows everything legal is not always moral.
Prior to the event, he said he hoped faith leaders could start a conversation in the community and encourage people to put asside their differences and address the issue humanity is facing.
Mohamed spoke and gave tips to people on how to respond to ICE and also mentioned that many businesses are closed due to this activity and fear.
“If we stand up now we can put an end to this,” Mohamed said.
He mentioned Trump calling Somali people, including an estimated 60,000 living in Columbus, the second-largest population in the U.S., “garbage” earlier this month. Mohamed said Trump’s mind can’t be changed, but he hopes to change the minds and hearts of residents, neighbors and the public who may not know what to do and could start believing the negative rhetoric.
“It’s a way to educate,” he said of the event. “We’re not garbage. We’re good, decent Americans who care.”
Imam Horsed Noah, outreach director at Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center, offered a prayer and comments.
“We have been chosen by God almighty to stand up and speak truth to power and protect one another,” Noah said.
The Rev. Derrick Holmes, senior pastor at Union Grove Baptist Church, spoke in support of Somali people.
“Bigotry and hatred and prejudice will not be tolerated by the city of Columbus,” he said. “Equity must never be contigent on ethnicity.”
Other community activists, faith leaders and politicians also spoke during the event.
“Dignity, safety and justice belong to everyone,” Stanley said. “Thank you for refusing to let fear have the final word.”
Anti-ICE protest planned for Saturday afternoon
The Columbus Liberation Center also planned a mass meeting to “get ICE out of Columbus” at 4 p.m. on Dec. 20 at 1004 Parsons Ave. Several local organizations and leaders were involved in the event.
“It’s clear that these ICE attacks, which follow President Donald Trump’s despicable comments regarding our Somali neighbors, are meant to cause fear and terror,” said Olivia Rowland, an organizer with ICE Out of Cbus, in a statement about the event.
“This mass meeting will show that we are united, and we will fight back,” Rowland said. “We won’t stop until ICE is out of Columbus.”
Franklin County Commissioners issued a statement on Dec. 19 saying the board was aware of the increased federal immigration presence in recent days. The commissioners’ board said they are “dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where all individuals feel safe, respected, and valued.
“We recognize that some community members may have concerns regarding their interactions with government agencies. Access to the essential services provided by the County will continue to be available to all eligible residents in environments that prioritize safety and security.”
The board corrected misinformation about the Franklin County Sheriff’s office and said deputies “do not enforce immigration violations and are not involved in any ICE activities in Columbus, nor have they been asked to assist.”
Franklin County, the commissioners said, “remains committed to building a stronger, more inclusive community. We will continue to work diligently to create an environment where all residents feel valued, respected, and supported.”
Underserved Communities Reporter Danae King can be reached at dking@dispatch.com or on X at @DanaeKing.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: ‘It is personal.’ Faith leaders, politicians denounce ICE in Columbus
Reporting by Danae King, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
