Statement from Unidos MN Leader Moriah O’Malley at Rep. Ilhan Omar’s July 10 Conference on the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Picture: Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Unidos Leader Moriah O’Malley, Rep. Sydney Jordan, Senator Omar Fateh, and Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando.

My name is Moriah. I’m a resident of Minneapolis and a leader with Unidos MN.

I am joining my representative, Congresswoman Omar, alongside my neighbors today because frankly I am appalled, disgusted, at the passage of this One Big Evil Bill. 

For the past several months, we have seen ICE agents use extremely aggressive tactics to arrest our friends. To detain our neighbors in inhumane conditions, and to deny people access to legal counsel.

With the passage of this bill, the Trump Administration and his kowtowing lackeys in Congress have put their fascist tactics on full display. They use the word ‘criminal’. They use the word ‘illegal’. They use the word ‘alien’ to justify this treatment, to dehumanize our fellow humans. 

But I will not, WE will not, ALL people of conscience will NOT be fooled. These are our neighbors, our friends, our fathers, our mothers, our grandparents, our children. ICE is stealing away human beings, disappearing the very people who make our lives and our communities stronger.

And now, ICE now has a budget larger than the militaries of 188 countries.

Not only does this bill divest much-needed resources from our families and our communities– it recklessly accelerates an already violent and secret police force. This is not just shocking, it’s unconscionable.

This administration’s goal is clear. They will militarize American streets. They aim to sow fear among us. They aim to dominate us. They aim to divide us.

And if any person thinks they are safe because they have legal status or because they are a citizen or because they were born here, let me be clear: you are not safe. The erasure of rights for some, is the erosion of rights for all. None of us is safe with an anonymous police force marching through our streets. None of us are safe when due process becomes optional. 

I am here today to stand in solidarity with my immigrant family, friends, and community members because now, more than ever, is the time to stand up. Now is the time for each of us to invest in powerful relationships with our neighbors. Now is the time to use our united voice and fight unwaveringly for the liberty and justice of all people.

Thank you.

To view the full press conference, click below: