Blood money
As reported in the Concord Monitor on Oct. 15, the Pittsfield police department is quite pleased to receive $145,000 from DHS for agreeing to cooperate with ICE through a 287(g) agreement. The board of selectman unanimously agreed to accept the federal funds with board chair Jim Allard calling it a “pretty decent” deal.
Make no mistake; this pretty decent deal is essentially “blood money.” ICE has murdered U.S. citizens, incarcerated innocent individuals, torn apart families and terrorized communities throughout the U.S. Just because Pittsfield doesn’t encounter many alleged undocumented immigrants, doesn’t justify its cooperation with ICE and acceptance of these funds. Pittsfield and any other police department with a 287(g) agreement is complicit in the inhumane policies and tactics of ICE.
NH’s chronic shortage of municipal funding does not excuse placing “free” money above respect and compassion for fellow human beings.
On Nov. 3, elect candidates that oppose cooperation with ICE and 287(g) agreements.