Diaper needed changing

He is still being detained, over a month later, despite having a spotless record and a green card that was about to be approved. This story has played out over and over again in San Francisco and across the country. 

Rabbi Cat Zavis was among 42 faith leaders who decided that enough was enough. People of faith had been holding vigils at that building for months, praying, offering support to those who went in, and those who came out missing someone they loved. On this day ministers, rabbis and other people of faith decided that business as usual, what they clearly saw as injustice, needed to be disrupted. They were blocking the entrances to 630 Sansome St. hoping to shut down the immigration court and offices so that “no one would get kidnapped today.”

Some were chained to the doors and each other. They all knew that they would probably be arrested, planned to be absolutely nonviolent, but given the history of federal agents deploying pepper spray, tear gas, flash-bangs and other non-lethal weapons against peaceful protesters, there was fear of government violence. 

I arrived at 7:15 a.m. to bear witness, support my friends who were putting their bodies on the line for their beliefs, and to report on what happened. For a few hours, those blocking the two entrances to the building stood, sang and swayed with the music as a hundred or so others stood nearby in solidarity. Dozens of volunteers closed off the streets, coordinating with local police and federal officers to keep everyone safe. Other volunteers stood ready to provide medical assistance if needed. Artists painted huge butterflies and this message on the streets: “Our Faiths Teach Us — LOVE THY NEIGHBOR — Disrupt Injustice.” 

One person told me she was there because too many people were being taken from schools, streets and their homes, people who were obeying our laws, going through the proper processes, showing up for their immigration meetings and hearings, only to be “kidnapped.”

Alexandra’s story was just one of literally thousands, heartbreaking, capricious, inhumane, and the antithesis of what these people of faith believe is the correct way to treat the stranger in our midst, and not just the stranger. Alexandra’s husband has been a beloved member of his Bay Area community for years, a man who, when standing in line at the grocery store, is likely to make three new friends before checking out. “We write each other letters every day and now he’s trying to help some of the other people he’s detained with!”

I told her he sounded like a wonderful man, reminding me of my own father who was the king of grocery store line conversations. She said she had “won the husband and baby lottery in life.” Then she smiled and mentioned that the PowerBall Lottery was worth over a billion dollars. I asked if winning that might make her life easier. She quipped, “Well, maybe we could buy one of the president’s Golden Immigration tickets and get my husband out.” She’s hoping that her lawyer’s habeas petition will free him before his next court appearance in February. Me too. 

After a few hours, federal officers gave their third dispersal order, warning that protesters at the doors would be arrested if they didn’t leave. Then, they moved in, with local fire department responders cutting the chains. Each protester was lifted gently, handcuffed, and taken inside the building to be cited and released. In a message to the media, a DHS spokesperson said the event was a “riot” and 42 “rioters” were arrested. KTVU, KRON, KQED, ABC7, San Francisco Chronicle coverage and my experience easily debunk that description.

My pastor, the Rev. Tom Harris, the Rev. Dr. Diana Gibson, who married my husband and me, and a dear friend, elder Leif Erickson, from First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto, were among those arrested. I cried as I watched them singing as they were handcuffed and taken away. They were standing up for all the Alexandras. I hope that their action will prompt others, across the country, to do the same. 

Craig Wiesner is the co-owner of Reach And Teach, a book, toy and cultural gift shop on San Carlos Avenue in San Carlos. Follow Craig: craigwiesner.bsky.social.