Attendees holding up their phone lights by the instruction of DA Larry Krasner. (Photo: Deesarine Ballayan)

On Wednesday night, District Attorney Larry Krasner hosted the second “Be the Light, Bring the Light” town hall at Grace Baptist Church in Germantown. The meeting was held to address the concerns Philadelphians have about the possibility of the National Guard being deployed to the city to aid ICE in their immigration arrests. 

The night began with questions from moderator Andrea Lawful Sanders. Larry Krasner talked about the progress the city has made in public safety and acknowledged the possible harm that could be caused in the event of troops being sent to Philadelphia.  

He expressed that in troubling times, the answers often come from the community. 

“The reality is a lot of people are sitting and listening to elected officials who are going to save them. But I’m going to be honest, the ones who are going to save you are going to be you, and anything I can do to help with that, I will do, ” said Krasner.

Krasner affirmed that because of the 10th Amendment, which declares that if the Constitution does not give power to the national government or take it away from the states, it is up to the people to decide what happens.

The Constitution does not require local officials to cooperate with ICE. Therefore, leaving the decision to cooperate with ICE or the National Guard for immigration arrests up to local officials. 

“Frankly, I’d much rather be catching people from homicide than running around catching hardworking kitchen workers who are undocumented,” said Krasner. 

After the initial question-and-answer section, the town hall’s other panelists, Reverend Donna Jones, Rabbi Modecai Liebling, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, and Men Who Care Executive Director Joe Budd came to the stage to express their concerns surrounding the possible deployment of the National Guard.

Rabbi Liebling shared that he thinks the national guard will come into the city when Philadelphians are least expecting it.

“I think that it is a high probability that this administration will bring troops into this city over the summer to somehow take guard for the 250th anniversary [of America]. And use that as an excuse to keep the troops in the city… to intimidate and keep people from going to the polls in 2026,” said Leibling.

Rabbi Liebling expressed that “interfaith, interracial, and interethnic” solidarity before the troops come may be the only way to get through it.

When asked how these partnerships can be created, Liebling replied, “Last Ramadan, at the Masjid where this town hall was supposed to be held, we had the iftar dinner, the dinner where Muslims break their fast. It was wonderful. We had Muslims, Christians, and Jews together. So, inviting each other into our houses of worship, celebrating together, and breaking bread together. That is one way to do it.” 

Reverend Donna Jones shared some post-COVID statistics on crime, citing decreasing rates. She claims that these falls are because the city allocated more funds to community-centered organizations “that were actually doing the work.”

Men Who Care’s Joe Budd expressed his concerns about potentially fatal interactions the youth of Philadelphia may have with the National Guard. He encouraged the men in the room to get involved with any organization that could help manage these effects. 

“The key for our young people is preparation… I’m from Philly, and I know sometimes we get a little rambunctious when we’re tested. Imma keep it 100 because this is serious stuff happening right now with our young people and their emotions. Emotions that could get them murdered by a National Guardsman,” said Budd.

Budd explained how early intervention in youths’ lives has helped them succeed in other areas. He also believes this kind of intervention may be the key to minimizing harm as pertains to the National Guard.

“Get involved. You don’t have to get involved with Men Who Care. You don’t have to go on the street corners when we go, or the rec centers, or the schools, but you have to do something,” said Budd. 

The evening concluded with questions from the youth to the DA and a few community question cards read by Melany Nelson, the Director of the CARES Unit of the District Attorney’s Office. 

“What is being done in the schools when parents are snatched? Are families being told to update their phone numbers and addresses? Who is getting these kids from school? Are the kids being taught about ICE in schools?” read Nelson. 

Moderator Andrea Sanders answered for DA Krasner, saying, “Families are meeting and having dialogue. We know the ones in families who are undocumented. We’re not going to tell you, but we know. This is who is going to take the child to school. This is who is going to live with us. But the problem comes when they don’t have family.”

Nelson also read cards that asked whether or not the Philadelphia Police Department would help ICE or the National Guard if they came. Sheriff Bilal seemed to be firm on the lack of cooperation between ICE and the Sheriff’s office.

“The Sheriff’s office does not cooperate with ICE,” said Bilal, causing the room to erupt in applause. “But let me caution you: that man in the White House will do anything to arrest you so you don’t have your freedoms.” 

Bilal claimed that if ICE has a warrant, they have to do their jobs. Bilal also encouraged people to avoid interactions with ICE.

The applause died down, and people began to holler from the crowd, “What about at the courthouse? What happens when they arrest people there because they’ve done it?”

The Sheriff explained that ICE is not allowed to enter the courtroom to arrest people. She recalled an incident where someone was arrested. 

“That person ran out of the building and tried to run back in. They have not [arrested anyone in a courtroom]. We did not get involved with that. We don’t have any involvement in that, ”Bilal clarified about her office’s involvement in the matter.

Attendees whispered amongst themselves after the sentiment.

When asked about how to handle interactions with ICE. District Attorney Krasner reminded the audience of the impact the video of George Floyd’s murder had on the country.

He then encouraged the attendees to pull out their phones and turn on their flashlights before reminding them: “Be the light, bring the light.”