Letters to the Editor

‘Inhumane label’ warrants sanctuary status

Editor: Regarding Kate Williams’ Springs column “When a sanctuary becomes a trap,” my response is simple. Those who live daily with the inhumane label of “illegal” deserve sanctuary.
Suzanna Bon

Limited scope for refuge resolution

Editor: The goal of our proposed resolution is very simple. We are concerned that the issues of undocumented immigration have created a climate in Sonoma and Sonoma Valley where folks who live and work here are afraid to seek help from Public Safety officers, medical attention, and live in fear of being forcibly separated from their children who are American citizens.
The responsibility of a national policy on immigration is the job of our leaders in Washington. Well-funded Homeland Security, ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) is the agency mandated to carry out the policies of the government. Let it be understood that the resolution being proposed is not intended to deviate from the policies established by the County of Sonoma and the County Sheriffs’ Department under Sonoma County Law Enforcement, Protocol 99-1, established in 1999 and revised in 2005. The resolution framers are working with local and county law enforcement to insure that the resolution complies with current county law, and there is no intention to create a policy in opposition to that. We are simply stating our agreement, and reinforcing that the City of Sonoma does not waste its resources, both in time and money, and will not engage in any additional effort to separate itself from the established protocols under which we currently operate.
On a more personal note I find it completely counter productive to use labels like “benign racism” in characterizing this resolution. It is counter productive to engage in generalities suggesting that the immigrant community, legal and undocumented alike, whose hard work underpins our economy, is not learning English, or views Uncle Sam as a Draconian bully. It is misleading to insinuate that the Sheriffs’ Department does not follow the laws uniformly throughout Sonoma County, and it is incorrect to state that the growing Latino middle class is intent on becoming a “permanent underclass.” In Sonoma and Sonoma Valley there is not one hospital bed, not one seat in our schools, and not one job that a citizen cannot access because of immigrants.
I will gladly wear the mantle of “Auntie Sonoma” if that represents compassion, fairness and a willingness to keep an open heart on issues that have so far been unresolved. It is our responsibility as Americans to promote the ingrained values that make our country a wondrous place for people who need a vision of hope to keep their dreams alive, and to pursue both a moral and practical answer to the immigration issue. While we endeavor to find that answer, let’s not lose our humanity in the process.
Ken Brown

WillMar Center
another auction
beneficiary

Editor: I want to add one brief note to Kathleen Hill’s otherwise fine capsule of the Harvest Wine Auction (Sept. 6 edition). Among the list of beneficiaries, WillMar Center for Bereaved Children was inadvertently omitted. Though we didn’t have a live auction item on display at the auction, our blue, t-shirt-clad stalwart volunteers were hard at work along with all the others. We are grateful to be included in this wonderful fundraising effort on behalf of so many worthy organizations.
Tim Boeve

Venezuela not such a great place to live

Editor: Whadda country! Just so long as freedom of expression isn’t high on your priority list. Or private enterprise. Or the ability to vote for your leader instead of having a president for life. Whadda country!
Lewis Perdue