• @movies@lemmy.world
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    1974 days ago

    The fact these cowards are allowed to wear masks is riot-worthy.

    Imagine doing your job and you need to put on a mask specifically to hide your face—and not questioning whether you’re one of the bad guys.

    • hopesdead
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      394 days ago

      Legislators in California are introducing bills that would make that illegal.

      • It’s already not legal for ICE to hide their face and ID.

        Laws are for poors, queers and browns, not for the red white and blue blooded American patriots

          • @Mog_fanatic@lemmy.world
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            93 days ago

            Not OP and certainly IANAL but as far as I know there is NO law that forbids the use of masks for ICE agents. However, hiding their ID or refusing to identify themselves during detention or arrests IS illegal. However, the law states they have to show ID/identify themselves “as soon as practical and safe to do so," so they could theoretically just say they thought they’d be in danger by showing ID as flimsy of an excuse as that sounds.

            However, it is rather hilarious that they are pretty much all wearing masks while the political party parading them around is currently on a very real rampage to stop pretty much anyone in public from wearing masks for any type of public demonstration or event.

      • @WoodScientist@sh.itjust.works
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        184 days ago

        Unfortunately that won’t do anything. Democrats are not prepared to actually use the power they have as state officials to resist illegal federal actions. So you outlaw law enforcement from wearing masks. They keep doing it anyway. Then what?

        I see zero indication that Democrats have any intention of using force to stop ICE from violating the law. These ICE agents are already flagrantly violating the law. This arrest is flagrantly illegal. Yet are they using any of their states’ out of control police budgets to provide armed police protection to state lawmakers? No. They’re just letting duly elected representatives be illegally arrested.

        This is why the law you’re talking about is purely performative. It’s meant to generate headlines, but it won’t actually move the needle.

        States need to actually start using force against federal agents that are violating the law. Will this risk escalation and civil war? Yes. But if you’re not willing to risk civil war to protect the most fundamental rights of the citizens of your state, then you have no right to be a leader in a democratic country. You’re too much of a coward, and you’re simply not willing to fight to defend your freedoms.

    • @WoodScientist@sh.itjust.works
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      4 days ago

      Don’t forget the cowardice of Democrats in general. Why are these lawmakers just going around undefended? They should be being escorted by a contingent of state police fully willing to use lethal force to protect their state’s lawmakers against unlawful and illegal arrest.

      If the governor of NY announced that he was sending NY state troopers to arrest Donald Trump for violating the law, do you think the Secret Service would just sit back and let that happen? States and the federal government are both sovereign. The states have just as much authority to unilaterally arrest Trump as Trump does to unilaterally arrest state leaders. Yet the state leaders are just spinelessly sitting back and letting themselves be arrested. States have out of control police budgets, but the cowards aren’t even willing to use some of those immense resources to prevent duly elected representatives from being illegally arrested.

      Here’s a hint. If the feds come to try and arrest your governor illegally, you shoot them. You put them in the ground. I don’t care if it risks a civil war. This is the kind of thing that is worth risking a civil war over.

      But unfortunately these spineless Democrats are not capable of thinking like this. They’re utterly unsuited for the challenge of the moment.

          • @AbidanYre@lemmy.world
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            4 days ago

            A democratic candidate just got put in handcuffs because ICE is going all fascist and you’re somehow making it the Democrats’ fault. Fuck off with that.

            I haven’t forgiven anything in either of these comments. Try harder next time.

            • @WoodScientist@sh.itjust.works
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              44 days ago

              A democratic candidate just got put in handcuffs because ICE is going all fascist and you’re somehow making it the Democrats’ fault.

              Yes, because it’s all pointlessly performative. It’s like that stupid taco truck or those signs at the state of the union. Pointless performative crap.

              Democrats have forgotten how to actually use and exercise POWER. Republicans still remember how to use it. And this is why Democrats are losing.

        • thanks AV
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          34 days ago

          What does this even mean dude? You want them to all just get arrested? Like, actually, what the fuck does this mean?

          • @AbidanYre@lemmy.world
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            104 days ago

            The hell are you talking about? ICE is turning into the gestapo and that dude wants to blame Democrats for it.

  • @Archangel1313@lemmy.ca
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    1694 days ago

    “Mayoral candidate kidnapped by group of armed, masked individuals claiming to be immigration agents.”

    FTFY.

    • @Fredselfish@lemmy.world
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      264 days ago

      Is he a immigrant? Legal or not ICE can’t arrest American citizens. Its time to fucking riot time to take the nazi scum down.

  • @Initiateofthevoid@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    4 days ago

    So, NY… remember the Barbara Streisand effect?

    Fuck Cuomo. FUCK Adams.

    You have no authority to arrest US citizens.

    A vote for Brad Lander is clearly a vote against ICE. Votes for the other candidates like Mamdani are cool too. That’s why Ranked Choice exists.

    For everyone, if you’re in a situation like this… they literally put him on an elevator. Just… block the elevator. Literally. With your body. They’re not going to shoot when they’re outnumbered 100 to 1 in a crowded space. It would be suicide, and they know that.

    Physically block them from leaving. Do not let go. Do not let them collect the innocent. It’s not obstruction of justice, because this isn’t justice.

    The only reason they get away with shit like this is the illusion of power. It’s all an illusion. They don’t have the power to do this, and they certainly don’t have the power to control a determined group of citizens in a situation like this. It doesn’t require violence. It just requires discipline, and courage.

    Link to the video: https://xcancel.com/bradlander/status/1935016805099016236

  • @CriticalThought@lemmy.world
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    614 days ago

    I thought someone running for political office can’t be arrested or tried for a crime in case they eventually win election (at which point all possible charges are automatically dropped)?

    • @CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      144 days ago

      Close. You can’t be tried at the federal level. You can be tried at the state level (specifically New York) but even if you are convicted, judges will essentially commute your sentence.

    • @throwawayacc0430@sh.itjust.works
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      44 days ago

      Some states actually ban criminals from holding office. State constitutions outside the original 13 are written long after the inital founding and state constitutions also more easily amended.

      And no, candidates can get arrested. Some socialist person tried running from prison, running didn’t free that person, not even temporarily.

      Its just that democrats think that “being impartial” is more important that safeguarding democracy.

  • @DarkFuture@lemmy.world
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    474 days ago

    If you haven’t, it’s time to start arming yourself and your friends and family.

    As anti-gun as I typically am, the bottom line is a decline into fascism requires as many guns as possible in as many hands as possible to end it as quickly as possible.

    • @Glitterbomb@lemmy.world
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      194 days ago

      And it’s wayyyyy beyond time for any politician or candidate with a D by their name to have some goddamn private security.

      • @kayky@thelemmy.club
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        33 days ago

        Being a democrat is such a cuck position in life.

        Smart people hate them because they support the ruling class, dumb people hate them because they disagree on the culture war.

    • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      This is such an American response.

      If conflict escalates with an armed vigilante uprising, it will be used by Trump to justify everything the military does, which will include live rounds on civilian targets. An armed militia cannot compete with the military.

      The only way victory (hopefully through a mutual desire not to have a civil war) is possible is if state national guard and police remain loyal to their local governor and vow to fight against the federal government on the people’s behalf. But that’s still massively risky.

      The best thing as always otherwise is a large scale non-violent protest. Bigger and more persistent than the No Kings protests.

      • Eugene V. Debs' Ghost
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        244 days ago

        If conflict escalates with an armed vigilante uprising, it will be used by Trump to justify everything the military does, which will include live rounds on civilian targets. An armed militia cannot compete with the military.

        News flash, the peaceful, non-violent protest were already justification for Trump using the National Guard and Marines.

        • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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          44 days ago

          So what? It’s all performative at the moment precisely because the citizenry are not armed. His actions are clearly illegal even without a citizen having been shot yet. It needs to stay that way or you really will have a civil war on your hands. Is that really what you want?

          • Eugene V. Debs' Ghost
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            134 days ago

            It’s not what we want, it’s whats happening.

            Normal stable countries don’t have states that float the idea of stopping funding to the federal government, consider suspending habeas corpus to make arresting people easier, and deport non-whites en masse to concentration camps.

            Sticking your head in the sand and complying in advance doesn’t work because it assumes governments have a conscience that will learn from mistakes and guilt. It even considers this is a mistake. This is entirely on purpose.

            • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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              4 days ago

              This is illustrative of your whole problem over there though - the solution to crap government is better government, not regression to fuedalism. Peaceful protest is not “sticking your head in the sand” - it’s putting yourself in real danger given what Trump and the federal military are currently doing. But everyone standing across the line with a gun in their hand is a human being. The moment you arm the mob, the military has a mandate to engage and they will be far less sympathetic to the plight of the citizenry. Armed resistance, or any kind of violent resistance whatsoever, should be the absolute last resort.

              • @kuhli@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                64 days ago

                Armed resistance, or any kind of violent resistance whatsoever, should be the absolute last resort.

                I don’t think anyone here is arguing against this, we’re just saying it’s time to be prepared for if that time comes because we won’t be given advanced notice.

                We have a government controlled by people dedicated to consolidating their power and ensuring they won’t be opposed. Unidentifiable armed thugs are grabbing people off the street and shipping them to torture camps.

                I sincerely hope this can be resolved peacefully, but the reality of the situation is we have to be prepared for if it can’t be.

                Obviously don’t fire the first shot; but if they do, it needs to be met with a shot back.

                • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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                  13 days ago

                  Obviously don’t fire the first shot; but if they do, it needs to be met with a shot back.

                  By whom and in what context?

              • @traceur301@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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                43 days ago

                Relying on their sympathy, and the hope to replace them with a better government without using force, are absolute folly. They’re fascists; making those things not forthcoming is like their whole schtick. Small arms won’t defeat them in battle, but guns can make occupation almost infinitely more costly for fascists to maintain compared to willful docility

                • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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                  Are you really saying US citizens matyring themselves by provoking armed crackdowns by the military is more reliable than peaceful protest? Because that’s what it sounds like you’re saying.

                  There is no “battle” right now. There is no civil war yet. What you’re saying is the kind of behavior that will start it.

          • They are being shot at. Injuries requiring hospitalization with a chance for permanent disability isn’t “performative.” I can hope but can not trust enough people remain in the police and national guard who are willing to prevent escalation.

            Source 1 of many: https://abc7.com/post/protester-marshall-woodruff-shot-eye-rubber-bullet-during-no-kings-day-rally-downtown-los-angeles-saturday/16768659/

            As to civil war, I lived in a place where multiple people were hopeful for civil war to start and another place where my high school teacher joked on Facebook about open season on liberals and needing bodybags. I feel a need to prepare for the scum around me, since several are already impersonating ICE officers or killing people.

            • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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              22 days ago

              I have no concerns about defending yourself in your own home or even your neighborhood if it comes to door to door mob on mob like that.

      • Pushing it to that point is the most likely way to get the military to fracture. Which is the only realistic way to win this by force. Not saying force is the only way, but if it is the way, you need to force a split.

        • @ynthrepic@lemmy.world
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          22 days ago

          If they open fire on unarmed civilians fracture is much more likely than if they open fire on an armed milita. I’m just looking to encourage avoiding giving the authoritarian side any excuse to claim the higher ground.

    • @mazzilius_marsti@lemmy.world
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      None American here, but I believe the most important right you Americans have, beside the right to free speech and vote, is the right to bear arms.

      Not many other countries have that.

      Cant believe one day I actually say that, but the 2nd Ammendment is so important. And yes, I am also anti gun and pro gun control.

      Still, the situation is getting so fucked up I think it is better to arm and protect yourselves.

      • @icelimit@lemmy.ml
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        53 days ago

        Weren’t they supposed to use these guns against threats to their democracy, from within and without? I can’t see any other more applicable scenario.

  • @jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
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    There was a rally to support Lander this afternoon. Pretty good turnout for a sudden gathering on a Tuesday.

    He gave a short talk after he was released.

    • LasherzM
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      524 days ago

      By their definition, defending a migrant, housing them, transporting them, waving/smiling at them, is tantamount to criminal conspiracy. Interestingly you don’t see the .eat packing ceos hauled away for hiding them right up until they unionize. This is just the beginning of the violence the fed is going to impose on anyone who dares to stand up to the gestapo in any form.

      • kbobabob
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        154 days ago

        Sounds like it was because he was attempted to keep ICE from arresting kidnapping an immigrant.

        Arrests come with warrants and due process

    • @ieatpwns@lemmy.world
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      384 days ago

      For doing his job to protect people in his community. Won’t catch cuomo doing the right thing out there

      • @Asafum@feddit.nl
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        54 days ago

        You absolutely would catch Cuomo doing something similar: escorting a defendant out of immigration court…

        and feeding them to ICE…

        “yep, this one right here boys!”

    • @WoodScientist@sh.itjust.works
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      34 days ago

      Because in New York City, a global megalopolis with one of the largest and most well-funded police departments in the country…can’t be arsed to provide police protection to its highest ranking elected officials.

      Imagine if the NYPD tried to arrest Trump. Do you think the Secret Service would just let that happen? Yet state and local Democratic officials aren’t willing to actually use their legal power to protect themselves from unlawful arrest. These leaders should be under constant state or local police protection. But they’re so addicted to normalcy that they simply cannot bring themselves to take reasonable but unusual steps like this. They just can’t mentally handle it, so they let themselves go unprotected.

      It should not be possible to arrest the Comptroller of the largest city in the country without first having to go through a whole bunch of local police officers.

      But Democrats are cowards, so they let themselves be lead to the showers.

  • bean
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    In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Homeland Security Department, the parent agency of ICE, said that Mr. Lander “was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.”

    “Our heroic ICE law enforcement officers face a 413 percent increase in assaults against them,” she added. “It is wrong that politicians seeking higher office undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment. No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences.”

    New York Times - Brad Lander Is Arrested by ICE Agents at Immigration Courthouse

    Jesus. Mental gymnastics of the right.

  • Boomer Humor Doomergod
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    314 days ago

    What I’m learning is that if I want to abduct someone I just need to wear a convincing enough ICE uniform and nobody will stop me.

  • @Suavevillain@lemmy.world
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    264 days ago

    How long must we keep up this charade of law and order if Trump pick and chooses which laws he will follow.

    Arresting leaders because they asked to see a warrant. ICE is being used as Trump’s personal Gestapo to haunt down anyone who doesn’t fit Trump’s vision of a white ethnostate.

    • @kayky@thelemmy.club
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      It should be seen as acceptable to shoot ICE thugs that trespass, assault, and/or try to kidnap innocent people.

      Jurors are going to have to take on the role of judges to combat how corrupt our system is.

  • @DandomRude@lemmy.world
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    174 days ago

    The fact that no one has yet arrested Trump shows what a farce the US legal system is – it has absolutely nothing to do with justice or fairness, but rather facilitates organized crime on a massive scale.

    • @DarkFuture@lemmy.world
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      44 days ago

      If there’s anything I’ve learned over the last decade it’s that the U.S. justice system is the butt of a joke. And you better believe all the criminals out there, from the petty thieves to the politicians, have taken note of that fact.

      Crime will rise.

      • @kayky@thelemmy.club
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        It’s particularly sad, because countries like Brazil and South Korea both held their demagogues liable for staging their coups. Instead, we re-elect ours.

        Really shows how stupid the average American is, but I don’t just blame republicans. Democrats were happy to do everything they can to ensure we fight a culture war instead of a class war. Liberals banning everyone they disagree with from online discussions only served to accelerate the schism. It pushed indoctrinated people even further down their rabbit holes and created an internet that mirrors the city-rural divide.

      • @DandomRude@lemmy.world
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        13 days ago

        Yes, even I, as a European, have the impression that the US system has become so infiltrated by criminals that it has itself become a significant part of the problem. I mean, it couldn’t be any more obvious when even a constitutional judge like Clarence Thomas no longer has to be ashamed of his open corruption – and that’s been the case for decades, if we’re being honest.

        I would say that this corrupt system is what makes organized crime possible in the first place. This system is broken beyond repair because it not only fails to fulfill its function, but actually achieves the opposite - so imo: it cannot be repaired from within.

        Specifically, with a functioning legal system, an obvious criminal like Trump would never have become president, because he would have been in prison for decades. Instead, he is now president and is exploiting the legal system for his crimes.