We the People Wednesdays Action for April 29

People are afraid to go to Philadelphia courts right now because they’re worried about encountering ICE. This problem is affecting all kinds of cases: family court, landlord-tenant disputes, protection from abuse orders, small claims, criminal matters, etc. Access to courts is a fundamental part of how our country functions and defends rights. When people are too afraid to show up because doing so also means risking detention, it undermines the entire legal system.  Four judges make up the governing body of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (the Philadelphia courts system).  There are policies that would help protect people from ICE harassment, including:

• Allowing virtual or excused appearances at court

• Limiting ICE arrests in and around courthouses

• Logging ICE presence around courts

• Requiring all law enforcement agents to be unmasked and identifiable

• Prohibiting any officials from interfering with bystanders recording ICE activity

• Publising monthly reports on federal agents who enter court facilities

Write to at least 2 of these judges to implement rules that protect citizens.  Adapt this sample text:

Dear XXX,

  Please institute policies that protect people from ICE when interacting with the Philadelphia court system.

Sincerely,

<your name and zip code>

President Judge Nina Wright Padilla

Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia

360 City Hall

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Administrative Judge Daniel Anders

Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia

516 City Hall

Philadelphia, PA 19107

President Judge Francis Shields

Philadelphia Municipal Court

640 City Hall

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Administrative Judge Joffie Pittman III

Philadelphia Municipal Court

1301 Filbert Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107