On Wednesday, City of Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn became the latest mayor in Contra Costa County to issue a statement regarding immigration enforcement.
Here is her statement:
This past weekend, Martinez residents took to the streets to stand up for their community and to support their neighbors, friends, and family, regardless of immigration status. These peaceful protests were in response to images across the country, including last week at the Concord Immigration Court, which have caused residents fear, particularly those in the immigrant community. Day by day, these national events continue to cause uncertainty and a lack of confidence in our government.
Seeing these images, our residents turn to their local government and say, “What are you doing to protect us?” While the City of Martinez and the Martinez Police are not legally able to prevent actions by the Federal government, we can control what we do locally. In 2017, the Martinez City Council adopted a Resolution stating that, in accordance with California law, our Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws and will not detain any individuals based on immigration status. We stand by that Resolution still today.
One of our City Council’s primary goals is to promote Community Health, Safety, and Well Being, and we stay committed to public safety and building trust throughout our neighborhoods. We take pride in our City and want everyone in Martinez to feel welcome, included, and respected. The City of Martinez is proud to have recently sworn in the members of the new Diversity and Cultural Commission. We will continue to do the work to stand firmly against discrimination and support the values of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. Please reach out if you or someone you know needs assistance. Below is a list of resources available.
Legal Support & Immigrant Rights
- Stand Together Contra Costa – Rapid response and free legal help: www.standtogethercontracosta.org | (925) 900-5151
- Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (Brentwood) – DACA renewals, deportation defense: (925) 237‑8581 ext. 11
- Catholic Charities East Bay (Concord) – Immigration services, Know Your Rights clinics: (925) 825-3099
- Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach – Immigration and family legal services: (510) 251-2846
- Bay Area Legal Aid (Richmond) – Immigration, housing, and benefits legal support: www.baylegal.org | (510) 663-4744
Mental Health & Community Wellness
- Contra Costa Crisis Center – Call 800-833-2900 or text 988 (24/7 confidential support)
- NAMI Contra Costa – Mental health resources for families and individuals: (925) 942-0767
- Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay – Trauma-informed support for immigrant and refugee families: (925) 927-2000
- La Clínica del Pueblo – Health and mental health care for immigrant families: (202) 462-4788
- Health Initiative of the Americas (UC Berkeley) – Health outreach for Latino immigrant communities: (510) 643-1291
Community Education
Know Your Rights Workshop – Monday, June 23 at 11 AM, hosted by Contra Costa County Library (live Spanish interpretation): (800) 984-4636
Related
- June 16 – Brentwood Mayor Issues Statement on Immigration Enforcement
- June 14 – Pleasant Hill Mayor Issues Statement on Immigration Enforcement
- June 13 – Concord Mayor Issues Statement on Federal Immigration Efforts
- June 13 – Walnut Creek Mayor Issues Statement on Federal Immigration Efforts
- June 11 – Supervisor Carlson Issues Statement on ICE Activity in Concord
- June 10 – Rep. DeSaulnier Statement on ICE Raids in Contra Costa County
