In an unexpected surge of community engagement, around 800 individuals gathered at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, to participate in a workshop aimed at equipping locals with strategies to respond to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The turnout, far exceeding the anticipated 150 attendees, necessitated a switch from an auxiliary room to the main sanctuary, which accommodates up to 1,000 people.
The event, organized by the Community Self Defense Coalition, a group dedicated to resisting federal immigration enforcement, was held on January 26, 2026. The focus was on educating participants on how to patrol their neighborhoods to protect against ICE operations. According to Rev. Mark Chase, the church’s associate rector and director of Justice and Community Organizing Ministries, this remarkable attendance was fueled by a combination of community solidarity and recent controversies surrounding ICE activities.
Community Solidarity and ICE Controversies
Rev. Chase highlighted the communal spirit driving the high turnout, emphasizing the community’s love for neighbors living in fear due to potential ICE actions. “This was an unmistakable sign of the love people have for their neighbors who are living in a state of terror,” he explained. He further connected this sentiment to a broader Christian commandment, urging followers to love their neighbors as themselves.
Chase also pointed to recent controversies, particularly in Minnesota, as a catalyst for increased public interest. The tragic deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, linked to ICE activities, have intensified debates over state-sanctioned violence. “The violent murders of our siblings Renee Good and Alex Pretti have forced people to wrestle with the realities of state-sanctioned violence,” Chase stated.
National Context and Policy Criticism
Since President Donald Trump’s second term began, immigration enforcement has been intensified, following significant border encounters during the Biden administration. Authorities argue these measures are essential to combat criminal activities, citing the detention of numerous individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. However, critics, including organizations like World Relief, have raised alarms over the detention of lawfully admitted refugees, prompting legal challenges.
Polls suggest a growing public concern over ICE’s methods. A recent Siena/New York Times poll found that 61% of Americans believe ICE tactics have “gone too far,” with a Fox News poll showing a 10% increase in those viewing ICE as “too aggressive” since last July.
Rev. Chase commented on the shifting public sentiment, noting that skepticism towards the administration’s stance on ICE operations is increasing. “In Minneapolis, there are people in the streets who are theologically conservative, who are Republicans, who are veterans, and who’ve never protested before,” he remarked, suggesting a potential convergence of diverse community groups around this issue. He encouraged reflection on whether the perceived border crisis justifies the current enforcement intensity.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
