In response to the increase in ICE violence across the country and in Minnesota, the Executive Board of the Alphabet Workers Union released the following statement:

The Alphabet Workers Union stands in full solidarity with immigrant communities and working people standing up to ICE terror across the country. Our workforce at Alphabet is diverse and beautiful, full of talented people who come from all walks of life and all parts of the world, united around our mission of making information accessible to all. An attack on any immigrant worker is an attack on all of us.

Alphabet workers have watched with horror as ICE launched a full-scale occupation of Minnesota, terrorizing communities and committing acts of violence against everyday people standing up for their neighbors. Echoing the call of our parent union, Communications Workers of America, we stand in solidarity with CWA members in the NewsGuild and in locals across Minnesota, who are facing federal attacks on their rights.

We condemn the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, as well as those of Keith Porter, Hebar Sanchez Dominguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Parady La, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, and Geraldo Lunas Campos. While President Donald Trump and parts of his administration have attempted to smear Good and Pretti as “terrorists,” we all have seen the footage and know the truth: these citizens were executed in broad daylight while protesting mass deportation, an activity protected under the First Amendment.

Amid these avoidable and tragic deaths, we have seen the people of Minnesota and people across the U.S. refuse to back down. We are inspired and moved by our CWA union siblings in Minnesota, who led the charge in organizing the citywide general strike on Friday, January 23.  

There have been many moments in our country’s history where a fundamental question is asked: “which side are you on?” This is one of those moments, and Alphabet Workers Union will always choose the side of working people and immigrants. We are proud to be part of the movement to abolish ICE. Many of us have already taken to the streets in our communities together to call for ICE out of our cities and states, and we will continue to do so as long as ICE terrorizes our communities.

As such, Alphabet Workers Union is calling on our members and coworkers to stand up against the fear and division ICE is attempting to sow and to instead show our power at local demonstrations, including the National Day of Action on January 30. We encourage our members to join actions throughout this week and in the coming weeks as we unite in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors.

Simply put: ICE puts our communities in danger. Abolish ICE. See you in the streets.

To support our CWA union siblings in Minnesota, you can donate to their families here for Gloria Bronola or here for Saysamone Phimpharath. You can also support union families by donating to Working Partnerships.

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Alphabet Workers Union-CWA Local 9009 is a union of Alphabet workers in the U.S. and Canada, including full-time employees, temps, vendors, and contractors. For more information, please visit our website, www.alphabetworkersunion.org; Twitter, @alphabetworkers; Facebook, AlphabetWorkers; Bluesky, alphabetworkersunion.org; LinkedIn, Alphabet Workers Union; or Instagram, @alphabetworkers