Editor, Ceres Courier,

Eight score and 15 years ago the Fugitive Slave Act came to pass. It was passed to appease slaveholders in exchange for California joining the Union as a free state. It obligated all citizens to assist in capturing and returning escaped slaves. If they refused or helped fugitives they could be fined or jailed.

Accused fugitives could not testify or be given a jury trial. Slave catchers could travel into free states and capture suspected fugitives with little proof. Free black people could be captured and enslaved even if they had never been slaves.

The Slave Act caused deep resentment in the North and energized the abolitionist movement and led to increased efforts to resist the law including the Underground Railroad, Vigilante Rescues, and personal liberty laws in the North. The most notable impact was that it intensified tensions between the North and South and was a major step leading to the Civil War. 

ICE, at Trump’s command, has intensified the pursuit of many who crossed the Southern border in search of freedom. At his request, he is obligating the California National Guard, Marines and regular folks to assist in capturing and returning “freed” people and returning them to where they came from. If people refuse they could be fined or jailed. Many people have been captured even if they were never illegal in the first place. These actions have caused deep resentment in sanctuary cities and have led to increased efforts to resist the law and now the streets of LA burn and countless more protests are soon to follow.

Crazy times we live in, but if you’re going to protest, do it peacefully.

Alvaro Franco

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