The Burlington County Commissioners have issued a statement on violent actions by federal ICE agents in Minnesota and the resulting deaths of two people.
“Our board, like millions of Americans around the country, was shocked and heartbroken by the senseless deaths that have occurred in Minnesota the past weeks, along with the violence, fear and chaos we believe is intentionally being inflicted upon Americans and American communities under the guise of immigration enforcement,” the statement said.
“While our board believes deeply in the rule of law and supporting law enforcement, we will not ignore the injustices we clearly see occurring daily, nor will we stay silent when rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution are trampled upon.”
The county passed a resolution condemning the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as the countless other civil rights violations committed against innocent women, children and men.
“Burlington County will not tolerate, condone, partner with or support ICE’s illegal intrusion of civil rights and liberties,” the statement added. “In Burlington County, we will look to our local, county and state law-enforcement officers to uphold order, protect and serve.”
The county cited Dr. Martin Luther King’s words in criticizing the ICE operation: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“Minnesota may be a thousand miles from Burlington County,” the statement read, “but we stand with those demanding accountability, due process, justice and an end to the oppressive occupations of our communities.”
Part of the resolution calls on the U.S. Congress to take steps to ensure federal immigration-enforcement agencies “operate under clear standards that protect public safety, respect Constitutional rights and provide real accountability when those standards are violated.”
