Westlakes Drive ICE
New Action! May 4th Protest
Although they have been very quiet about it, the ICE clerical office at 1000 Westlakes Drive appears to now be open. So sad that they didn't feel able to have a grand opening!
Join us on May 4th at commute time (4.30pm to 6pm) to give then a COLD WELCOME.
We will be parking in Westlakes at the public Chester Valley trail parking lot, which is on the opposite side of the road to the building ICE is renting at 1000 Westlakes drive. Put 1055 Westlakes Drive into your GPS - the trail parking is right next to that building.
Walk from there to route 252 (Swedesford Road). There is a small patch of public space next to the 92 bus stop where we can legally and safely stand for our protest.
Peaceful protest only! If ICE starts hassling us we will leave. We want to keep everything very safe since they have been known to be "volatile" to protesters. Be sure to keep out of the road and only stand on the grass verge for your own safety and so that the Tredyffrin police don't get worried about traffic accidents!
Information on Westlakes ICE office
Wired magazine ran an article, revealing the addresses of a large number of new offices that ICE are opening, among them an office at 1000 Westlakes Drive, Berwyn, PA 19312.
The office in Berwyn is said to be a clerical office where lawyers and logistical staff for ICE will work, but ICE is not typically open about its plans, so we don't know exactly what they will be doing there. In any case, the chaos and cruelty that ICE have been bringing to Minneapolis are not anything anyone wants in Berwyn. Are we the target of the next surge? No-one knows.
WHYY article on the new office.
Unlike Tesla Takedown Devon this is not a regular action. Email to be included for any future protests.
Next Steps
BE POLITE! If you are emailing or phoning people who are tangentially connected to ICE, like business owners and local politicians, you want to be as polite as possible. Many of them will be getting dozens of emails about this.
Tredyffrin Public meeting
The new ICE offices were discussed in the meeting, linked here. Advance to 2:17 for the discussion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdFj8S0wD50
Email the Tredyffrin board of supervisors
https://www.tredyffrin.org/Boards-Commissions/Board-of-Supervisors
They are all Democrats, see the Public meeting above for a sense of their position on the issue.
Send a letter to the editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Send a letter to the editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer. They haven't covered it yet, and they should.
Accesso partners
Owner of 1000 Westlakes Drive, the building ICE will be renting.
https://accessopartners.com/property/1000-westlakes/
Manager: Andrew Struthers, 610.947.1196. astruthers@accessoservices.com
Head office: 844.330.1818
JLL
Fairfield by Marriot
The hotel next door. Are they planning to host ICE agents? No idea! ICE agents have stayed at Marriots in other cities.
Phone: 484-324-4111
Call your local representatives
Melissa Shusterman (was at the protest so we can assume she is aware!)
Josh Shapiro the governor:
Carolyn Comitta
John Fetterman
Chrissy Houlahan