In the Face of Injustice, We Fight Back

Trump, Power, and the Double Standard of Enforcement

On June 8th, President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum, a less formal version of an executive order, authorizing the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to protests against unlawful ICE raids.

This move stands in sharp contrast to his response to January 6th, when he delayed action for hours as rioters stormed the Capitol, threatened elected officials, and disrupted the democratic process. Since returning to the office, he has pardoned all but 14 of those convicted for their roles in the insurrection. The difference reveals a clear double standard: swift and forceful action against protests he opposes and leniency—even support—for those who act in his name.

Even more troubling, Trump’s decision to override California’s authority by deploying its National Guard without the governor’s consent marks a troubling use of federal overreach. Under normal circumstances, states have the right to control their Guard units unless there’s a legitimate federal need.

This isn’t the first time Trump has pushed these limits. In 2020, during racial justice protests, he threatened to send in the military and had peaceful protesters cleared from Lafayette Square just for a photo op. These moves show a pattern of using military force not to keep people safe but to silence critics and show off power.

Georgia’s Role in Enabling Federal Overreach

While national attention focused on California last week, Georgia was deepening its involvement in anti-immigrant policies.

A $47 million contract between local officials and the Department of Homeland Security will expand a detention center in Charlton County, tripling its capacity from 1,100 to nearly 3,000 detainees. Officials tout its creation of 400 jobs and increased tax revenue, but at what cost?

Funding the expansion of a detention center for a federal agency that has been unjustly targeting minorities across the country, regardless of their circumstances, is oppressive and cruel. This is not just a political issue but a humanitarian crisis. Undoubtedly, the Charlton facility will become another tool for the inhumane treatment of immigrants by the Trump administration and ICE.

Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp has already directed the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS), including its 1,100 sworn troopers, to participate in ICE’s 287(g) program. The initiative trains local law enforcement to act as de facto ICE agents, identifying and detaining undocumented individuals. This is all part of the broader GOP strategy to embed federal immigration enforcement within local institutions and normalize discriminatory detainments and unlawful raids.

Ways to Fight Back

Amid the disarray happening to immigrant communities, there are resources out there that we can utilize to fight back against the miscarriages of justice.

1. Know Your Rights!

Knowledge is power! Organizations like the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) outline procedures that ensure people know their rights, how to assert them safely, and how to identify fraudulent warrants. The ILRC’s Red Cards also summarize these rights in multiple languages, offering a quick and accessible way to respond without self-incrimination.

2. Take to the Streets!

Georgians are showing up. From protests along Buford Highway to nationwide No Kings Rallies opposing the Trump administration's anti-immigrant agenda, communities are standing in solidarity with the immigrant populations that truly make America great.

Last weekend, members of The 2030 Project proudly joined these movements—because silence in the face of injustice is not an option.

🔍 To stay updated on protests near you, visit Mobilize.us

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