In January, Elkhart County officials will consider a proposal to build an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detention facility in the county.  For some opponents, that means looking for ways to make their opinions known.  Now an immigrant advocacy group is stepping in to help – by teaching them the do’s and don’ts of protesting.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Barb Anguiano reports on a weekend class taught by the Elkhart-Goshen Sanctuary Coalition.

About 35 people gathered for the seminar, which took place at a local church.  Seminar leaders broke down what it takes to plan a protest and later helped attendees

The event include open circle discussions that allowed participants to talk about their fears if the detention center becomes a reality in Elkhart, and ask more detailed questions in regards to protests and the role of a witness in case of a tense situation in which law enforcement is involved.

(Photo: Barb Anguiano)

Coordinator of the Sanctuary Coalition Julia Schmidt said it’s important for people explore ways to express their opinions and feel safe doing so.

“All these deportations and these things that are happening are happening in the street, so how do we take sanctuary to the streets,” Schmidt said, “and to show up in public ways and say, we are not ok with the deportation of our community members.”

Schmidt says the idea behind the event was to teach protest methods to community advocates, and through word of mouth, have the message of nonviolent protest spread throughout the area. Community advocates from around Elkhart County attended mainly, with Ohio being the farthest distance traveled.

Workshop activities promoted building community, and a safespace for participants to discuss fears related to the detention center.