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Quiet sits over Chile & Chili\u2019s Taqueria after safety concerns forced the popular spot to suspend operations. (Kyla Jackson\/The FAMUAN)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Local activists sprang into action on Sept. 25th following an unexpected incident of ICE detentions that has the popular restaurant Chile and Chile\u2019s Taqueria to close its West Tennessee location.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Partnering with Tallahassee\u2019s Community Area Response Equipo (TCARE), the restaurant\u2019s co-owner, Marco Tenorio, and local supporters turned the empty parking lot into a destination for advocacy last Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Tenorio, the business\u2019s property became a gathering place where supporters could voice concerns and stand together following the enforcement action.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we want to do is participate with the community that has opened its doors to us,\u201d Tenorio explained. \u201cThey [protestors] are able to express themselves in a way that they [undocumented workers] couldn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Wednesday evening, protestors gathered along the sidewalk, holding signs, collecting donations for the detained workers\u2019 families and legal aid, while expressing frustration over local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A regular customer at Chile and Chilis Taqueria, Zolia Virgen Verduzco, was at the forefront of the crowd, leading chants, raising her voice alongside other demonstrators.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Verduzco the moment was about more than simply showing up\u2014It was about standing with her community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in shock to see the video, but I was not surprised by the actions of ICE,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was important to show up because, as a community, we have to be united. We\u2019re all being affected.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Surveillance footage obtained from Chile and Chilies Taqueria captures employees fleeing the trailers as ICE officers approached, followed by a brief pursuit and the detention of three staff members. The three employees remain in custody, awaiting bond hearings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to supporting the business and its staff, organizers and speakers urged local officials to end the Leon County Sheriff\u2019s Office and Tallahassee Police Department\u2019s 287(g) agreement, which permits participating local officers to carry out certain federal immigration enforcement functions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to end 287(g) and not collaborate with immigration police to affect the rights of those just trying to make a living,\u201d said Regina Joseph, a general member of TCARE.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
She continues to urge others to speak up and support future initiatives around Tallahassee for immigrant rights.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cUse your privilege to be the voice for those who may be afraid to. Something like this affects everybody because immigrants make this country exist,\u201d said Joseph.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While operations at the West Tennessee Street food remain indefinitely suspended, management is urging customers to shift their support to the restaurant\u2019s location inside the Governor\u2019s Square Mall Food Court.\u00a0<\/p>\n