DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick issued a lengthy message to DeKalb County and Georgia students about their right to “stand up for what is right” while remaining safe.
In the message, issued to the public on Feb. 3 Patrick made his stance known on the walkout and protests against the tactical and, at times, violent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Two of those Minneapolis raids led to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January.
“I respect your voices, and I support your right to speak up about issues that affect your lives. Your engagement matters, and it reflects leadership,” Patrick wrote. “At the same time, how you express that voice matters. Make choices that keep you safe, reflect your values, and ensure your message is heard clearly. Peaceful, thoughtful action is always the most powerful.”
On Jan. 30, hundreds of DeKalb County and students across metro Atlanta participated in walkouts as a part of the “ICE Out Everywhere” protests, which called for “no work, no school, no shopping” on that day.
There were several walkouts that took place in the days prior to and throughout the weekend as part of the effort. DeKalb County Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce was one of many superintendents in metro Atlanta who warned students of potential consequences as a result of their participation in walkouts, which are a violation of the county’s student code of conduct.
Commissioners speak out
Patrick, whose district spans Tucker, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Doraville, advised parents and educators to join in conversation and listen to young people as they aim to be civically engaged, rather than silence them.
“These moments, regardless of political views, are opportunities to guide, not silence, their engagement,” Patrick said in his statement. “Throughout our history, periods of national transition have often been accompanied by public resistance and increased civic engagement.”
Related story:
• Students in metro Atlanta protest ICE crackdown and Minneapolis killings
Patrick and his fellow DeKalb County commissioners deferred a resolution on Feb. 3 that would deny further funding of ICE. The agenda item will be reviewed during the board’s next regular meeting.
It calls for supporting federal elected officials in denying additional funding of ICE, reviewing non-binding language affirming DeKalb as a welcoming community, reviewing Senate Bill 389, determining what can be drafted by the county to ensure specific requirements to protect DeKalb County citizens, and determining the county’s authority in proposed or potential building of ICE detention centers in DeKalb.
DeKalb Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry authored the resolution, and he says he hopes commissioners will back up young people and residents across the county in opposition to ICE.
“Together, the BOC, the DeKalb County administration, and specifically the constituents that we respectfully serve will navigate through this season,” Terry told Rough Draft Atlanta. “Our collective voice, our resilience, and our commitment to each other and the community will once again prevail with light over darkness.”