ICE

What fresh hell is this?

/ Tracy Abell / 9 Comments

Because there’s so much going on–personally, locally, and globally–I’ve been scarce around these parts. Whenever this blog and community popped in my head, I’d gently chastise myself for my absence and make a vague vow to post soon. This isn’t the “Hello again, WordPress!” post I’d envisioned (think high-interest personal story or gorgeous nature photography), but this latest development in the fascist playbook must be documented.

I just learned that while millions go hungry and people live in their cars (if they’re lucky), the Department of Homeland Security wants to spend up to $20 million to equip ICE agents with electric shock gloves. The so-called G.L.O.V.E. is manufactured by Compliant Technologies in Lexington, Kentucky, and is already used by some jails and police departments. (If you’ve been wondering if there’s a better alternative to ongoing state violence, I highly recommend Derecka Purnell’s book “Becoming Abolitionists,” which you can sample here.) These electric-shock gloves can be turned on or off with a button, and deliver a shock similar to a Taser (another horrific tool of violence employed by police). The only “positive” around Tasers is they’re higher profile, meaning bystanders can clearly see when a person is being “tased.” These tools of torture look like regular work gloves and throw the door wide open to already violence-prone agents to mete out additional horrific abuse.

Don’t worry, though. Per the linked AP article, Compliant Technologies offers a stern warning with the gloves:

  • they should not be used as punishment
  • they should not be used against people merely exhibiting “verbal defiance or belligerence”
  • they should not be used against high-risk populations such as children, pregnant women or elderly or disabled people

I feel all better, don’t you? We know, for instance, how easy it is to identify a pregnant woman no matter how far along she is in her pregnancy.

Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy project director on policing at the American Civil Liberties Union, summed it up: “ICE spent the last year showing this country they are too quick to use force. Now they will be able to deploy electric shocks with the slight push of a button that maybe nobody else can see them do. Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public.”

Every single day, another violent and depraved action on the part of this fascist regime. To quote Dorothy Parker: What fresh hell is this?

PLEASE, send a quick email stating NO more ICE funding!

/ Tracy Abell / 14 Comments

As you know, Renee Nicole Good was murdered by masked ICE agent, Jonathan Ross,  yesterday in Minneapolis for the crime of caring about the safety and welfare of her neighbors.  Despite the concerted efforts of this authoritarian regime to twist all facts surrounding Good’s murder, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and Bellingcat have all determined the ICE agent was in no danger of being run over. (Note: I initially included links then deleted them due to the graphic imagery, but the information is out there.)

In the midst of all this, Congress continues to consider whether to give more money to these violent, white supremacists who are living out their dreams under this administration. This from Detention Watch Network [emphasis mine]:

Coming into the New Year the House and Senate are proposing to expand immigration detention. Currently the House and Senate are proposing to expand immigration detention. There is already a record breaking 68,442 people in detention (via ICE December 22, 2025 stats). The proposal on the table includes additional funding for immigration enforcement and detention on top of the unprecedented $45 billion that ICE was given last year through the reconciliation bill. ICE and other government agencies have wreaked havoc across our country detaining individuals and locking them up in a deadly and inhumane system. Adding additional capacity will only escalate families being torn apart and subject them to horrific detention conditions.  

PLEASE take two minutes to email your Representative and two Senators via this form that will forward your message to them. One email sent to three addresses, easy-peasy! There’s no template in place so write your own short message that includes NO MORE MONEY TO ICE and send it along. Then please get 1-2 friends/family to do the same. Outrage is high and this is an excellent time to let our electeds know how we feel about the Department of Homeland Security and ICE terrorizing our neighbors and communities.

Thank you in advance. Solidarity!

Finally, I’m posting the image below from yesterday in Minneapolis (article here) even though in this instance it’s Border Patrol being cruel and violent, because I want to drive home the point that every branch of the Department of Homeland Security is actively terrorizing our neighbors. This is what the regime wants to fund even further.

Families Belong Together

/ Tracy Abell

I went to the Families Belong Together rally today at Civic Center Park in Denver. Turnout was high and I was grateful to be surrounded by so many outraged and engaged people. We heard music and the stories of immigrants from different parts of the globe. I cried. When the emotions felt too overwhelming, I focused on the signage.