Manteca Indivisible — a local activist group — is hosting law enforcement observing training this Sunday, April 19, for residents of Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy so they can be prepared if ICE agents show up in their neighborhoods.

The Valley Watch Network is co-hosting the event with Manteca Indivisible.

Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer will also address the gathering but will be asked to leave before the Valley Watch Network discusses strategy.

“The deaths of Renee Goode and Alex Pretti have shown us how critical it is to observe and report the actions of ICE, ERO, and CBP when they make so called ‘arrests’ ,“ said John Hawk, Founder of Manteca Indivisible and spokesperson for the event.

“Arrests without judicial warrants, detention without bail, rendition to foreign countries without due process of deportation legal proceedings — these things happen when we don’t pay attention. It’s organizations like the Valley Watch Network who keep all us safe from excesses of the unprofessional and the untrained.”

Hawk said Lawful Observer training teaches how to observe peacefully and lawfully.

He said the group is “delighted” to have Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer to provide his perspective on how and when to involve local law enforcement if ICE, ERO, or CBP are observed in illegal activity.

“Valley Watch Network is the leader in our Central Valley communities for Lawful Observer training,” Hawk said. “We are fortunate to have such qualified instructors help us before we need them.

Hawk noted the Stockton ICE/ERO facility (in the old Navy Yard) is less 20 miles away.

“We need to be ready before we become the focus of attention,” Hawk said.

Signing up for training can be done on Mobilize.us , MantecaIndivisible.org -> Events or directly at https://www.mobilize.us/mantecaindivisible/event/940664/

The location of the training will be provided after the participant has signed up.

More information about Valley Watch Network (sponsored by faith communities in the San Joaquin Valley) may be found at https://faithinthevalley.org/vwn/

More information about Manteca Indivisible may be found at MantecaIndivisible.org