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(See also CCSJ Events and Other Events)
(See also CCSJ Events and Other Events)
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On Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE) Activity in Monongalia
County
There has been much discussion about reported recent ICE activity in Monongalia County. Lt. Matt Solomon, CCSJ’s liaison with the Morgantown Police Department, has provided the email below that Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston received from ICE about that activity:
From: Walls, Khaalid H <Khaalid.H.Walls@ice.dhs.gov>
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2019 11:32 AM
To: Ed Preston <epreston@morgantownwv.gov>
Subject: ICE Activity in West Virginia
Good morning Chief Preston,
At the request of the ICE field office leadership, I wanted to share some information about our recent law enforcement activities in the region. If you choose, you can make this information public, as you see fit. We have shared some of this with local media already. Thank you.
During the week Aug. 12, deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested seven illegal aliens during targeted enforcement efforts in Monongalia and surrounding counties of West Virginia.
All of these individuals remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
ICE regularly conducts targeted enforcement operations during which additional resources and personnel are dedicated to apprehending deportable foreign nationals. All enforcement activities are conducted with the same level of professionalism and respect that ICE officers exhibit every day. The focus of the West Virginia effort targeted individuals, who in addition to their immigration violations, had criminal histories that included some of the following offenses:
Battery, Drugs-Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Burglary and Breaking and Entering, Domestic Violence, Battery w/ a Deadly Weapon.
Hit and Run, Possession of a Controlled Substance (pending) Domestic Battery.
During ICE enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter other aliens illegally present in the United States. These aliens are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and, when appropriate, they are arrested by ICE officers.
Khaalid Walls
ICE Public Affairs
Morgantown City Council Actions
The city council has currently been active in debating and supporting actions to improve social justice and diversity in the area based on the recommendations of the City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission. CCSJ first promoted a Human Rights Commission and actively worked for its revitalization.
The Strategic Plan is now in draft format and is for the city workforce, volunteer policy advisors, and community members. The goal of the plan is to find essential strategic elements for "1) promoting the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in city employment, 2) overcoming actual or perceived discrimination, and 3) affirming demonstrated benefits of a diverse workplace." See Morgantown City Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The City Council passed the ordinance prohibiting bullying in city services, activities, programs, and facilities serving youth at its meeting on July 2nd. "Youth" is defined as anyone 21 or younger. It includes youth-serving agencies like BOPARC and the library system. See Morgantown City Ordinance Prohibiting Bullying.
The City Council adopted the resolution establishing a Minority Liaisons Coordinating Council at its June 18th meeting. Membership will include city residents appointed by the city manager who are recommended by and who can act as liaisons with potential organizations such as the NAACP, Fairness West Virginia, the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living, Islamic Center, West Virginia Advocates for Special Education, and Morgantown and Trinity High Schools. See Morgantown City Minority Liaisons Coordinating Council.
More information on these is available on the following topics: Morgantown City Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Morgantown City Bullying Ordinance, and Morgantown City Minority Liaisons Coordinating Council. The CCSJ fully supports and commends these actions.
NEW Steering Committee Member
We welcome Greg Spransy as a new member of our steering committee.
Hidden Figures Purchased for Local Schools
We have purchased nine copies of Hidden Figures: Read Aloud version for the younger students (K-2) and nine copies of Hidden Figures: Young Readers Edition for older students (grades 3-5) for Monongalia County’s elementary schools. This is the landmark study of the African American women who worked for NASA, two of whom had connections to Monongalia County. We have placed a bookplate in each book to acknowledge our donation.
Moms Demand Action Group Forming in Morgantown
For more information and to be added to the mailing list, please contact Kathie Reilly at k.reilly0001@gmail.com or Susie Donaldson at Susie.donaldson@outlook.com.
Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center Birthday Club
Information from the Center notes: "For a minimum donation of $25, you can honor your friends or family on their birthday and support a young victim of abuse on theirs. By joining the MCCAC’s Birthday Club, you will ensure that a child abuse victim in Monongalia County will receive a card and present on his/her birthday. If the donation is made in honor, or memory, of a friend or family member his/her birthday will be recognized on the MCCAC Birthday Calendar and they will receive a card informing them of the donation in their honor. This is a great opportunity to support a great cause and ensure that a young child abuse victim has a happy birthday!” For more information on this opportunity click here.
New Bereavement Support Group Starting for those who have lost loved ones due to the opioid epidemic
“We are starting a support group for those who have lost friends, family, or loved ones to the opioid epidemic. The group will run from 5-6pm every other Thursday, beginning July 19th. The group will be free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Donations from the group will be given to the West Virginia Family Grief Center. If you would like to attend please give our office a call so that we can have the appropriate space ready. This group is designed for those who are 18 years and older. If you have any questions, or would like to reserve a spot, please call us at 304-460-5123 Option 1.”
Cole Warner, Harmony/ROOTS, 1005 White Willow Way, Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-460-5123 ext. 1
There has been much discussion about reported recent ICE activity in Monongalia County. Lt. Matt Solomon, CCSJ’s liaison with the Morgantown Police Department, has provided the email below that Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston received from ICE about that activity:
From: Walls, Khaalid H <Khaalid.H.Walls@ice.dhs.gov>
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2019 11:32 AM
To: Ed Preston <epreston@morgantownwv.gov>
Subject: ICE Activity in West Virginia
Good morning Chief Preston,
At the request of the ICE field office leadership, I wanted to share some information about our recent law enforcement activities in the region. If you choose, you can make this information public, as you see fit. We have shared some of this with local media already. Thank you.
During the week Aug. 12, deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested seven illegal aliens during targeted enforcement efforts in Monongalia and surrounding counties of West Virginia.
All of these individuals remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
ICE regularly conducts targeted enforcement operations during which additional resources and personnel are dedicated to apprehending deportable foreign nationals. All enforcement activities are conducted with the same level of professionalism and respect that ICE officers exhibit every day. The focus of the West Virginia effort targeted individuals, who in addition to their immigration violations, had criminal histories that included some of the following offenses:
Battery, Drugs-Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Burglary and Breaking and Entering, Domestic Violence, Battery w/ a Deadly Weapon.
Hit and Run, Possession of a Controlled Substance (pending) Domestic Battery.
During ICE enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter other aliens illegally present in the United States. These aliens are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and, when appropriate, they are arrested by ICE officers.
Khaalid Walls
ICE Public Affairs
Morgantown City Council Actions
The city council has currently been active in debating and supporting actions to improve social justice and diversity in the area based on the recommendations of the City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission. CCSJ first promoted a Human Rights Commission and actively worked for its revitalization.
The Strategic Plan is now in draft format and is for the city workforce, volunteer policy advisors, and community members. The goal of the plan is to find essential strategic elements for "1) promoting the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in city employment, 2) overcoming actual or perceived discrimination, and 3) affirming demonstrated benefits of a diverse workplace." See Morgantown City Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The City Council passed the ordinance prohibiting bullying in city services, activities, programs, and facilities serving youth at its meeting on July 2nd. "Youth" is defined as anyone 21 or younger. It includes youth-serving agencies like BOPARC and the library system. See Morgantown City Ordinance Prohibiting Bullying.
The City Council adopted the resolution establishing a Minority Liaisons Coordinating Council at its June 18th meeting. Membership will include city residents appointed by the city manager who are recommended by and who can act as liaisons with potential organizations such as the NAACP, Fairness West Virginia, the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living, Islamic Center, West Virginia Advocates for Special Education, and Morgantown and Trinity High Schools. See Morgantown City Minority Liaisons Coordinating Council.
More information on these is available on the following topics: Morgantown City Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Morgantown City Bullying Ordinance, and Morgantown City Minority Liaisons Coordinating Council. The CCSJ fully supports and commends these actions.
NEW Steering Committee Member
We welcome Greg Spransy as a new member of our steering committee.
Hidden Figures Purchased for Local Schools
We have purchased nine copies of Hidden Figures: Read Aloud version for the younger students (K-2) and nine copies of Hidden Figures: Young Readers Edition for older students (grades 3-5) for Monongalia County’s elementary schools. This is the landmark study of the African American women who worked for NASA, two of whom had connections to Monongalia County. We have placed a bookplate in each book to acknowledge our donation.
Moms Demand Action Group Forming in Morgantown
For more information and to be added to the mailing list, please contact Kathie Reilly at k.reilly0001@gmail.com or Susie Donaldson at Susie.donaldson@outlook.com.
Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center Birthday Club
Information from the Center notes: "For a minimum donation of $25, you can honor your friends or family on their birthday and support a young victim of abuse on theirs. By joining the MCCAC’s Birthday Club, you will ensure that a child abuse victim in Monongalia County will receive a card and present on his/her birthday. If the donation is made in honor, or memory, of a friend or family member his/her birthday will be recognized on the MCCAC Birthday Calendar and they will receive a card informing them of the donation in their honor. This is a great opportunity to support a great cause and ensure that a young child abuse victim has a happy birthday!” For more information on this opportunity click here.
New Bereavement Support Group Starting for those who have lost loved ones due to the opioid epidemic
“We are starting a support group for those who have lost friends, family, or loved ones to the opioid epidemic. The group will run from 5-6pm every other Thursday, beginning July 19th. The group will be free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Donations from the group will be given to the West Virginia Family Grief Center. If you would like to attend please give our office a call so that we can have the appropriate space ready. This group is designed for those who are 18 years and older. If you have any questions, or would like to reserve a spot, please call us at 304-460-5123 Option 1.”
Cole Warner, Harmony/ROOTS, 1005 White Willow Way, Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: 304-460-5123 ext. 1