San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder has voiced her frustration regarding the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and its interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Fielder, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and one of the Board of Supervisors’ most liberal members, recently sent a letter to interim SFPD Chief Paul Yep and other city officials expressing her concerns about policies that may conflict with the city’s sanctuary law.
The urgency of her inquiry arises from recent incidents where protesters clashed with ICE agents outside federal buildings during immigration court proceedings. According to reports, these protests escalated to the point where ICE agents resorted to using pepper spray and brandishing firearms against demonstrators.
Adding to the context, a recent article highlighted that the SFPD has been requesting data from automatic license plate readers in Oakland on behalf of federal law enforcement agencies, which contradicts state law.
In an interview, Fielder elaborated on her concerns surrounding these issues and the SFPD’s role in managing protests.
When discussing a recent meeting with Deputy Chief Derrick Lew, Fielder expressed alarm at the way law enforcement seemed to equate ICE, an armed agency, with unarmed protesters. “ICE agents can protect themselves with pepper spray, their guns, their vehicles, their armor,” she stated, underscoring the disparity in the authorities available to both sides.
California has strict sanctuary city laws that prohibit local employees from cooperating with ICE in most routine operations. Fielder emphasized the importance of ensuring that ICE agents identify themselves and adhere to local public safety and traffic laws.
In response to remarks from Deputy Chief Lew about the necessity for SFPD to intervene to protect federal officers from harm, Fielder pushed back. “According to the department’s own directives, they’re allowed to intervene in any federal immigration actions when it appears reasonably necessary to prevent serious injury to persons, whether or not a crime is actively happening,” she explained. However, this directive must be reconciled with sanctuary city laws that restrict assistance to ICE.
Fielder urged for greater transparency from the SFPD regarding their protocols on intervention during such situations. “What I’m not seeing is questions around how they’re going to protect unarmed and largely defenseless protesters,” she asserted.
As the city seeks to hire a new police chief, Fielder’s critique of Deputy Chief Lew raises questions about his potential candidacy. When asked if Lew’s comments might disqualify him for the chief position, Fielder stated, “It’s baffling to me that anyone in leadership would equate our protesters with Trump’s armed ICE agents.”
This frustration reflects a broader sentiment within the progressive community in San Francisco regarding the treatment of immigrant communities and the response from local law enforcement.
Fielder criticized ICE as an agency that embodies the policies of President Donald Trump, stating, “They are carrying out his agenda. And their agenda is to instill fear, [and] is to run roughshod over due process and basic constitutional protections.”
In light of these circumstances, Fielder urged for a shift in rhetoric and strategy from city officials, particularly from Mayor Lurie. While Lurie has been cautious in his references to Trump, Fielder wishes for more decisive language and action that firmly supports immigrant rights.
The conversation surrounding the SFPD’s role in protests against ICE is a pivotal issue in San Francisco, especially as local tensions rise over immigration policies and community safety. Fielder’s advocacy for adherence to sanctuary laws and the protection of protesters may influence future policies and the selection of the new police chief.
As the situation unfolds, Fielder’s insistence on accountability and transparency from law enforcement will remain vital in addressing concerns about the treatment of immigrants and the safety of those who stand against federal immigration enforcement.
image source from：kqed
