Free the Prairieland anti-ICE protesters! Drop the charges!

On February 17 nine anti-ICE protesters go on trial in Fort Worth, Texas, on bogus federal charges of “material support to terrorism.” This is the front line in the witchhunt ordered by Trump last year against “Antifa” and anyone else he views as “anti-American.” It is urgently necessary for the left, anti-deportation activists, trade unionists, and all of Trump’s perceived enemies to take a stand against this.

The case stems from a nighttime “noise” demonstration last July 4 outside the Prairieland ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas. About a dozen protestors set off fireworks to let the detainees know they are not forgotten. A couple of them spray-painted graffiti on a guard booth and an ICE vehicle. The ICE guards called 911 and local police arrived on the scene. Some protesters tried to leave. There was an exchange of shots between the cops and one person in the woods. The FBI admits it could not say who fired first. A police officer was grazed without any serious injury.

Police arrested nine that night, and ten others since then, including friends, family and roommates who were not at the protests. State charges are also pending. Almost all are still being held in jail. Some face charges for acts such as possessing “zines” and “insurrectionist propaganda.” The federal indictment now claims the defendants belong to a “North Texas Antifa Cell”—a non-existent group—which is branded a “domestic terrorism” organization. Several also face charges of “attempted murder of a federal officer.” Faced with these draconian charges and a possible 15-year sentence, seven took plea deals, with sentencing scheduled for March. But trial starts next week for the remaining nine federal defendants—Savanna Batten, Daniel “Des” Rolando Sanchez Estrada, Zachary Evetts, Autumn Hill, Meagan Morris, Maricela Rueda, Benjamin “Champagne” Song, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto. Presiding over the case is a reactionary Trump-appointed judge, Mark Pittman, who has fined defense lawyers for fighting for their clients, driving one off the case.

These “terrorism” accusations are the same lies they used against pro-Palestine encampments and against anti-ICE protesters they murdered in Minneapolis. This week Congressional Republicans and Fox News have witchhunted Democratic Socialists of America and Party for Socialism and Liberation as possible “foreign agents” for connecting ICE crimes to those of U.S. imperialism abroad. Regardless of differences over strategy and tactics, leftists need to have each other’s backs. An injury to one is an injury to all! Defense of the left and minorities is also in the interest of the entire working class. The government will use these same “terrorism” charges against striking trade unionists who stop scabs on the picket lines. We need to mobilize the broadest possible united-front action in defense of the Prairieland protesters and all victims of the current crackdown.

The PDC urges you to donate to the Prairieland legal defense, attend the trial, and publicize what’s going on. For more information, go to: prairielanddefendants.com/get-involved.