Frontline Dignity is featured in Te Lo Cuento News in the article, Ciudadanos reciben capacitación para responder legalmente a operativos de inmigración/Citizens receive training to respond legally to immigration raids
From the article:
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — La organización nacional Frontline Dignity llevó a cabo el martes 20 por la noche un entrenamiento dirigido a personas interesadas en actuar como “testigos éticos” durante redadas y actividades de la Oficina de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés).
Continue reading the full Spanish article here.
English Translation:
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The national organization Frontline Dignity held a training session Tuesday evening for people interested in acting as “ethical witnesses” during raids and activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The event, held at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, brought together approximately five hundred people, who filled the pews to learn about their rights and how to act safely and legally in the presence of immigration agents in their communities.
“Knowing your rights is extremely important,” said Jaime Martínez, executive director of Frontline Dignity. During the training, Martínez explained what citizens can and cannot legally do as observers of an ICE raid.
Rights and security at the forefront
“Everyone has the right to record the authorities. This not only protects the person being detained, but also serves as an accountability mechanism to ensure that civil rights are not violated. And if any violations do occur, that there is accountability,” Martínez stated.
The training included basic guidelines on how to legally and safely record authorities, how to remain silent, and how to request a lawyer if detained. It also offered safety tips, such as informing someone not participating in the demonstration about your plans and writing a trusted person’s phone number on your arm in case you are arrested and lose access to that information.
Community and collective action
Martínez, who previously worked with the Latino advocacy organization Casa San José, founded Frontline Dignity after months of rapid response to ICE reports in the region. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in Pittsburgh and his intention to expand this model nationwide.
“Pittsburgh is very good at this; being a good neighbor is something we do well. We want to support other communities across the country in building the same capacity we’ve developed here,” Martínez said.
Olivia Pinocci-Wrightsman, a Frontline Dignity volunteer and president of the College Democrats at the University of Pittsburgh, called the training an important reminder for those who may encounter ICE activity.
“Staying safe and out of harm’s way allows us to focus on what’s really happening in the situation,” Pinocci-Wrightsman said.
Frontline Dignity’s next steps
The group’s next step will be to organize a neighborhood-based rapid response network and promote legislative changes, including persuading municipalities to end their agreements with ICE.