Today, over 300 Florida families, agricultural workers, faith leaders, educators, immigrant youth, led by the Florida Immigrant Coalition, United We Dream, and other advocates are coming together in the state capitol to oppose a new anti-immigrant bill, SB 168 / HB 527. The advocates have spent the last few days asking lawmakers to oppose the measure, which would force local officials to cooperate with ICE in removing immigrants en masse. Advocates have said that the bill would endanger Floridians by making immigrants living in the state too afraid to go to the police, and that the proposal would harm Florida’s agriculture businesses. The Miami Chief of Police, Jorge Colina, made headlines a few days ago by taking a pointed stance on the measure.
Below, view just some of the tweets and photos from today as advocates rally in the Florida state Capitol against SB 168; a press call is scheduled for later today, where advocates will talk about their mobilization plans in the coming days and weeks.
NO WALL – NO FEAR
IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE
NO WALL – NO FEAR
IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE
NO WALL – NO FEAR
IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE
NO WALL – NO FEAR
IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE#StopSB168 #WeAreFL pic.twitter.com/AzqRurC2qs— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 25, 2019
We are joined by @FLImmigrant, @jewishaction, and @womenworkingtog today. Florida welcomes immigrants, and we will fight to stop racist bills like SB168. #StopSB168 #WeAreFL pic.twitter.com/GxSFN6mhii
— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 25, 2019
They are presenting symbolic art: words like “hate” and “deportation” covering up butterflies.
Yep, that top one says SB 168- the title of @JoeGruters’ bill addressing “sanctuary cities” pic.twitter.com/Q5wbzSgT94
— Samantha J. Gross (@samanthajgross) March 25, 2019
"We are loud, unafraid and here to stay. Desantis wants to be just like Trump. He wants to make it so immigrant youth like me are afraid.
Today our voices take over the Capitol and will keep doing so until all elected officials reject this bill." – Nathalie, a DACA recipient. pic.twitter.com/fOmwEyc6KT— Florida Immigrant Coalition (@FLImmigrant) March 26, 2019
@AlianzaProgress deep in support to our hard working immigrant families and children. @FLImmigrant we stand with you against SB168. #NoOnSB168 #EducationNotDeportation #KeepFamiliesTogether #WeAreFlorida pic.twitter.com/OzLYSDI2aF
— Marcos Vilar (@Vilar2020) March 26, 2019
Tune in on Facebook live to see @UNITEDWEDREAM and @FLImmigrant's vigil at the FL Capitol! We are standing strong against anti-immigrant bills #SB168/#HB527.
"May we never forget that immigration is a blessing and a strength." -@DotieForFloridahttps://t.co/FUP3E7Fm3h pic.twitter.com/TOSkXN9maQ
— anmaar (@ajhabibinator) March 25, 2019
UP UP WITH LIBERATION
DOWN DOWN WITH DEPORTATIONWe are marching down the streets of Tallahassee, Florida to STOP the racist bill SB168! #StopSB168 #WeAreFL pic.twitter.com/FEvcmBXPth
— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 26, 2019
It is not about our bodies or our lives, it is about an election for [those legislators voting in favor of #SB168]. @AnnaForFlorida is speaking truth to power and fighting for us. Thank you, Rep. #Solidaridad
Watch Live: https://t.co/krkyCf8BJD pic.twitter.com/jk0NQUrQcb
— Florida Immigrant Coalition (@FLImmigrant) March 25, 2019
Roxana's mother is sharing her story now!
Watch live:https://t.co/ffw3fNAKH8 https://t.co/BTAdWeEV1Y
— anmaar (@ajhabibinator) March 25, 2019
The We Are Florida campaign is hosting a vigil with 50 members of United We Dream, the nation's largest immigrant youth-led network. @DotieForFlorida is hosting.
They are opposing SB 168 and HB 527, which address so-called “sanctuary cities” in Florida. pic.twitter.com/VZTYmBQ0f7
— Samantha J. Gross (@samanthajgross) March 25, 2019
We are now hosting a vigil inside the Florida State House, and we continue to share the stories of our immigrant communities.
Florida must #StopSB168! #WeAreFL
☎️ CALL NOW to stop this racist bill: 210-714-2768 pic.twitter.com/SVWxdxiagU
— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 25, 2019
We must #StopSB168 now!
This bill would effectively force all state and local entities (even campus police) in Florida to be an extension of Trump’s deportation force.
Please, call your state senators and tell them to #StopSB168 now! @UNITEDWEDREAM #WeAreFL pic.twitter.com/xCoNTUsMTI
— Juan Manuel Guzman (@___JMG___) March 25, 2019
We need to stop the racist bill SB 168 from becoming a law that would racially profile, arrest, detain, and deport our community.
We need to #StopSB168! #WeAreFL
Support us and ☎️ CALL: 210-714-2768 pic.twitter.com/e4UUHi3ovi
— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 25, 2019
Walter was taken away from his wife and his children.
The racist bill SB168 would only allow more police agents to arrest, detain, and deport more members from our community.
Florida must #StopSB168! #WeAreFL
☎️ CALL: 210-714-2768 pic.twitter.com/3HSLyby5mR
— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 25, 2019
Lily shared to the office of Senator Hutson the story of how her husband was arrested and eventually deported this past Wednesday from Florida.
Walter was taken away from his wife and children. The SB618 bill would only hurt more families.
Florida must #StopSB168! #WeAreFL pic.twitter.com/vCl1wE4NtE
— United We Dream 🍊 (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/amnestymiami/status/1110312155612696576
Today @UNITEDWEDREAM helped mobilize to Tallahassee dozens of immigrant youth activists as part of the #WeAreFL campaign. They are here to say NO to anti-immigrant family separation Senate Bill 168. pic.twitter.com/n9l53VQDb2
— Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) March 25, 2019
As a first-generation American, business owner & Mayor of one of Florida’s most diverse communities, this issue is personal. I urge FL lawmakers to oppose SB 168, anti-immigrant legislation rooted in prejudice. https://t.co/6He9jE98VV
— Wayne Messam (@WayneMessam) March 19, 2019
Miami police chief rejects proposed anti-immigrant and family separation Senate Bill 168. https://t.co/GS5i9rE92n
— Florida Immigrant Coalition (@FLImmigrant) March 23, 2019
Here is @JoeGruters, chair of the FL Republican Party, admitting that his family separation Senate Bill 168 would lead to the detention and deportation of immigrants in Florida driving without a license for everyday things. His advice for them? Use public transit. pic.twitter.com/z8zr33Et74
— Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) March 13, 2019
A packed room at the FL People’s Advocacy Center with youth mobilized by @UNITEDWEDREAM to say NO to family separation Senate Bill 168. #WeAreFL pic.twitter.com/Sx44sngdGV
— Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) March 25, 2019
Florida state lawmakers have introduced harmful legislation, SB 168, that would damage FL’s economy, shrink tourism, & harm FL’s reputation as a warm & welcoming destination.
Take action, call state Senator @DSimmonsFL & tell them to vote against #SB168 https://t.co/IJCxqBTUHZ
— FWD.us (@FWDus) March 25, 2019
