Hey all,
Hope everyone is doing well. It is the first week of March, at our 30 Days of Action against the NRJDC Contract. I wanted to provide y’all with the following update.
This January, the Maryland attorney general filed a lawsuit against the construction of an ICE holding facility in Williamsport, 37 minutes away from the NRJDC.
Just today, reports from local rapid response groups showed that a fleet of ICE vehicles arrived at said facility. These watch groups allege that the same fleet was deployed in Minnesota.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
With the holding facility being built, and chaos ensuing out in Martinsburg, it’s possible that we could see some action in the next coming months. Which is why it’s very important that we continue to fight shutting down the NRJDC contract with ICE. One facility, just leads to another. And soon you’ll have a spiderweb of facilities that disappear people just for having a certain status or looking a certain way.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
Last week Superintendent Erin Maloney revealed in an email that the NRJDC contract with ICE has been given a 30 day extension (until the end of March) prior to its renewal. This means that we have 30 DAYS to let the board know that ICE has no place in our community.
HERE'S WHAT TO DO
Commission Call Out: Throughout this week, we ask people to call/email the reps from the following localities. It doesn’t matter if they reply or not, what matters is to let them know how many of us are against this contract. Attached below is the sample script & contact info for each rep.
- Tuesday: Winchester/Fred. Co.
- Wednesday: Clarke/Warren Co.
- Thursday: Shenandoah/Page Co.
- Friday: NRJDC Superintendent
In terms of in-person actions, Warren County is holding a Board of Supervisors meeting TOMORROW @1pm. We sadly weren't able to organize anything in time, but if anyone would like to speak about the county's involvement NRJDC contract during the public comments, they are welcome to do so.
Finally, we are looking to hold a rally in Winchester this Friday. We are still working out the kinks, but if you wanna stay posted, we've made an instagram! Please feel free to follow us on @VWOB_va.
Hope to see everyone join us this week.
Best,
🫶 Valleys Without Borders 🫶
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CALL TO ACTION SCRIPT
Good morning/afternoon/evening
I am a resident of [County/City]. I was made aware that the NRJDC has had a contract with ICE wherein they receive funds for four beds (regardless of use), and that the contract is up for renewal this February.
I am concerned for the safety of our community. The behavior of ICE/DHS/CBP on the streets and the treatment of detainees has repeatedly demonstrated anything but professional law enforcement, any and all support to them must be terminated immediately.
It's imperative that the leadership in our community takes a stand against this violence. As a member of the NRJDC Commission, I ask that [REPRESENTATIVE].
Ends the renewal of the commission's agreement with ICE.
Supports ending all current and future agreements with ICE in the [COUNTY/CITY].
Publicly reaffirms their commitment to keep [COUNTY/CITY]'s immigrant communities safe.
Anything less, in my view, is complicity with the ongoing violence in our country.
Thank you.
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REGIONAL JAIL COMMISSION MEMBERS
NRJDC
Superintendent - Ms. Erin Maloney
maloneye@nrjdc.com
540-722-6174
City of Winchester
Commission Chairman - Larry T. Omps
larry@ompsfuneralhome.com
(540) 662-6633
Commission Vice Chairwoman, Fiscal Agent - Mary Blowe
Mary.blowe@winchesterva.gov
Frederick County
Regional Jail Board - Sheriff Lenny Millholand
lmillholland@fcva.us
Alternate - Mr. Robert W. Wells
540-669-8782
rwells@fcva.us
Clarke County
Member - Sheriff Travis Sumption
tsumption@clarkecounty.gov
540-955-5153
Alternate - Mr. Doug Shaffer
dshaffer@clarkecounty.gov
(540) 277-7759
Page County
Alternate - Major Steve Owens
(540) 843-3348
sowens@pagesheriff.com
Shenandoah County
Member - Mr. Evan Vass
evass@shenandoahcountyva.us
Warren County
Member - Sheriff Crystal Cline
ccline@warrencountysheriff.org