Residents of several Bay Area cities on Friday are planning to take part in Lights for Liberty vigils, as part of worldwide protests against detention camps at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The vigils are targeting reports of inhumane conditions in the camps, mass deportation and deaths at the border.
According to a release from Santa Cruz Indivisible, as of Wednesday there were over 689 registered Lights for Liberty events on Friday planned around the world.
Oakland will see at least two separate vigils: one at City Hall and another at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater. The City Hall vigil has over 40 sponsors and will begin at 5 p.m. The Lake Merritt vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m.
San Franciscans will also get multiple chances to participate in a Lights for Liberty vigil. Interfaith leaders will host an 11:30 a.m. event outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices at 630 Sansome St.
Another San Francisco vigil will be held at 7 p.m. at the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround.
San Jose's Lights for Liberty event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at City Hall Plaza, 200 East Santa Clara St.
A Santa Cruz vigil is planned at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
According to the Lights for Liberty website, vigils will also be held in Benicia, Monterey, Novato, Pacifica, Palo Alto and Redwood City.
For a full list of registered events, go to: lightsforliberty.org/localevents.
Most events are asking participants to bring a flashlight, an electric candle or a phone.
If ICE knocks on your door or contacts you in a public place, you should:
- Stay calm and do not run
- You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to a lawyer and you have the right to document immigration activity
- If ICE shows up at your home, ask for a court order signed by a judge.
- Do not sign any documentation, or answer any questions without the presence of a lawyer.
- Do not show any false or foreign documents.
- Never lie to immigration officials.
Bay Area Rapid Response Lines:
- Santa Clara County: 408-290-1144
- San Francisco: 415-200-1548
- Alameda County: 510-241-4011
- Contra Costa County: 925-900-5151
- Marin County: 415-991-4545
- San Mateo County: 203-666-4472
- Napa and Sonoma Counties: 707-800-4544