Report Back from Protest and Vigil at the ICE headquarters

The Or Shalom Jewish Community of San Francisco and Congregation Chochmat HaLev of
Berkeley took the lead in organizing the monthly protest and vigil at the ICE headquarters in
San Francisco on Friday, December 13th, 2020. Rabbi Katie Mizrahi of Or Shalom and Rabbi
Lynn Gottlieb of Chochmat HaLev invoked the theme of Hannukah, represented by eight human
candles, each bearing a message of hope and liberation:

• Sanctuary Not Deportation
• Families Belong Together
• Love Has No Borders
• Freedom Has No Walls
• All of Us in the Light
• Kindle Peace with Justice
• Stop Criminalizing People
• Resistance Is Beautiful
• Welcome the Stranger

Kehilla was represented by Immigration Committee Chair Julie Litwin, Rabbi David Cooper,
Binya Koatz, Renee Enteen, Alex Madonik (Economic Justice Committee), and doubtless others.
Rabbi Katie, Rabbi Lynn, and Binya took turns leading us in song and reflection. We also heard
powerful testimony by those directly affected by ICE detention.

The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity kicked off the event at 11 AM with a press
conference calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra to enforce
the provisions of recently-passed AB-32. As of January 1st, 2020, this law prohibits any new
private, for-profit prison contract by the California Department of Corrections, and by 2028 no
prisoner may be held in such a facility. Moreover, no such facility may be operated in
California. ICE is trying to rush through new contracts to circumvent these provisions.

Photos: top to bottom –

Rabbi Katie Mizrahi (Or Shalom) telling the story of Hannukah,

Reverend Deborah Lee (Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity) watches as Miriam Noriega introduces the press conference calling for the complete prohibition of private, for-profit prisons in California.