The Seattle Human Rights Commission is deeply disturbed and alarmed by the deliberate attempt of this administration and ICE agents to silence Maru Mora Villalpando by attempting to deport her from the United States. Maru has been a leading activist against human rights violations taking place at the Northwest Detention Center and has submitted official complaints to the UN and international human rights bodies. Her tireless work has clearly made an impact and has drawn a cruel retaliation from the Trump administration.
This month, as we celebrate the work and life of Martin Luther King Jr., let us remember that our nation has a disturbing history of persecuting and targeting activists striving for equality and fighting to protect the rights of all people. Maru is one of many human rights leaders who have been targeted by ICE over the past few months in an escalating campaign to silence and suppress the voices opposing the callous anti-immigration actions of this administration. In 2012, the City of Seattle declared itself a Human Rights City, committing itself to protect, respect and fulfill the full range of human rights inherent to all. These duties, set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties, impel us to protect activists from governmentnt retaliation. Maru and the Colectivo de Detenidos of the Northwest Detention Center were recipients of the 2014 Seattle Human Rights Award. The Seattle Human Rights Commission applauds Maru’s commitment and bravery to stand for truth in the face of intimidation and threats by this administration. Therefore, we demand immediate retraction of these deportation threats made by ICE.