NEVER AGAIN ACTION ATLANTA RESPONDS TO ICE PRESS SECRETARY BRYAN COX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: neveragainatl@gmail.com

NEVER AGAIN ACTION ATLANTA RESPONDS TO ICE PRESS SECRETARY BRYAN COX

In a Newsweek article, acting ICE Press Secretary Bryan Cox issued a statement. Never Again Action Atlanta responds:

Mr. Cox accuses us of demonizing law enforcement officials. What demonizes law enforcement officials is a system that forces them to sacrifice their humanity and become actors in atrocities against their neighbors. Our strategy of asking law enforcement officials to listen to their consciences is such a threat to ICE that the agency felt the need to publicly, and angrily, respond.

Mr. Cox accuses us of a disservice to our community. We act from our most deeply held Jewish values, as affirmed by the Torah, tradition, and our collective memory. The commitment to the dignity of human life is more important than any man-made law, and protecting the dignity of the immigrant is at the center of our religious life and history as a people.

Mr. Cox claims the men and women of ICE are simply executing federal law. History tells us that "I was just following orders" is neither an acceptable defense nor a good excuse. The people who work for ICE should never have been asked to violate their consciences in the first place. We hope they hear our message that we are here to help get them out. And we hope Mr. Cox understands that our offer of help to find a new and better job applies to him, as well.