ANNOUNCEMENTS: Know Your Rights
Get informed about your legal rights in the face of law enforcement
Thank you to all who came to the commemoration of the liberated zone! Students were able to raise our voices and dedicate a memorial to the victims of Israel’s genocide, and call out our university’s direct complicity in this horror.
The intensification of Israel’s war in Gaza is being matched with an intensified campaign of repression here at home. As I’m sure many of you have heard, there are rumors of an upcoming ICE raid in Bloomington.
Rumors are often difficult to confirm until the worst has happened, so regardless of how one feels about them, we should absolutely be proactive. A collection of organizations all around Bloomington have put together a list of useful resources. These resources should help anyone navigate this confusing and challenging situation.
Give out this these linktrees to anyone who is looking for advice and/or support: https://linktr.ee/btownrights4intlstudents
https://linktr.ee/btownknowyourrights
The above includes contains the following and more:
Hey! Did you know you have rights? - Bloomington Alliance for Immigrant Rights
IU Global International Resources - Indiana University
Apply for free legal help - Indiana Legal Services
The following is a brief guide put out by the University Alliance for Racial Justice aimed at faculty but applicable to all.
Some important things to remember
Do not ask students or colleagues about their immigration status. You can't reveal information to ICE if you don't have it. This is a rare situation in which it’s better to have less information.
If ICE officers directly confront you in your classroom or other campus spaces, you should refer them to the Office of the Vice President & General Counsel. They have the authority to respond to warrants and subpoenas, not you. Their numbers:
(812) 855-9739 in Bloomington
(317) 274-7460 in Indianapolis
It is a FERPA violation to release information about your students, even to identify whether they are in the room or enrolled in your class.
It is not your responsibility to identify your colleagues or to help find them.
If asked, Indiana law requires that you identify yourself to a law enforcement officer by giving your name, address, and date of birth. You are not required to say anything else.
Do not lie to ICE, but also do not volunteer information. For your personal safety, say something like:
“I do not have the authority to deal with this matter. Please contact the Office of the Vice President & General Counsel” (provide them with appropriate phone number if needed).
Unless ICE has a warrant signed by a judge with your name and the current date, you are not required to consent to a search of your body, belongings, or any private spaces (e.g., your office). If agents continue to insist, say:
“I’m sorry, I do not consent to this search,” or
“Am I free to go?” (If the answer is yes, leave immediately.)
We hope this gives people a bit more confidence to face whatever the future may hold.
We keep us safe!
Upcoming Events:
Healthcare in Gaza
Thurs May 1st Ballantine 330, 6:30-8pm
We will examine the ongoing attacks on healthcare infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the devastating impact on civilians, medical workers, and access to essential resources. We will explore violations of international humanitarian law and the broader consequences of targeting hospitals and clinics. Through data and testimony, this presentation calls attention to the urgent need for the protection of humanitarian rights and accountability of violations of healthcare workers rights in conflict zones.
Reminders:
Contribute to PSC Legal Fund:
Repression is intensifying around the country as we’ve seen with the FBI/Police raids on UMich organizers last week. It is important to ensure that we have the resources to fight back and protect our organizers.
Contribute to a fund earmarked for any potential legal expenses to defend our organizers.
New PSC Logo:
If you would still like to try your hand at making a PSC logo, please drop your submissions here! The design requirements/suggestions are listed below:
Design Ideas:
Reflect the ideals of Palestinian solidarity.
Use the old logo as a guide for the new design. Your submission can draw as much or as little inspiration from the old design as you’d like, but a key shaped logo is preferred.
Consider how the design will look in large applications, like on banners, and in small applications, like in the Instagram profile.
Draw from Palestinian culture, art, and history for the illustration ideas.
Design requirements
300dpi at a size of 44”x44”
Or a vectorized image
Submissions should be a .jpeg or .png
Please submit by May 9th on Google form
Kuffiyeh Tabling:
Our tabling in Ballantine will continue every Thursday from 11 am to 3 pm. It will be next to the globe where you will be able to donate any amount to families in Gaza that we sponsor. If you donate $20, then you can receive a full-sized kuffiyeh. Make sure to visit us in Ballantine, donate and get a kuffiyeh in order to showcase your support. If you would like to help with tabling, please be sure to reach out in the Signal chat.
What you can do to be further involved:
Please make sure to check out the graphic below to ensure your skills are being utilized to the best of your abilities for our cause! Also make sure to continue to stay updated with our organization as we continue our fight for Palestine this semester.
Support Families In Gaza:
PSC is sponsoring different families in Gaza as they struggle to survive during the genocide. Check this page to see how you can support these families and read their stories.