Iowa church hosts anti-ICE activist training on how to obstruct federal immigration enforcement

Over the weekend, over 500 people attended an anti-ICE "legal observer" training at a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Methodist church. During the training, simulations were performed mimicking Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents undertaking arrests.

Video from the event showed actors dressed as immigration agents approaching people stationed at the front of the church sanctuary and taking them under arrest. Someone shouted at the audience, "Get your cameras out." As one of the actors led the fake detainee out of the room, a person with their phone out following shouted, "You have to show us an arrest warrant."

In a second simulation, audience members were seen swarming the agent, as the crowd yelled "ICE out," blew whistles, and filmed the fake incident.

A flyer for the event described it as a "Legal Observer Training," during which participants would learn "your rights when documenting injustice," "how to film safely and responsibly," and "how to share our neighbors’ stories." The training was sponsored by Escucha Mi Voz, Indivisible Linn County Metro, and St Paul’s United Methodist Church, where the training was held.

Escucha Mi Voz Iowa said that nearly 600 people attended the event, adding, "Community members, faith leaders, and organizers arrived with a commitment to learn how to protect our people, document injustices, and care for each other on the streets. This is what collective power looks like."

Organizers said that filming arrests is important when people believe ICE officers are not following standard procedures. Rev. Jonathan Heifner, St Paul’s lead pastor, told KCRG, "If they’re abandoning them or they’re disregarding them, then it’s even more crucial that we’re aware of what our role in a public space is.”