#ShutDownBerks Call-In Day—September 13

We are calling on Governor Wolf to work with Secretary Miller of PA Department of Human Services to immediately issue an Emergency Removal Order (ERO) which would ensure that the families detained at the Berks County Residential Center (BCRC; detention facility) are released to the care of their families and communities, and work to ensure that the prison is shut down permanently. Extensive legal research was presented directly to Governor Wolf outlining the specific powers that PA DHS has to shut down BCRC, and yet he has refused to take action to protect these children. The laundry list of abuses suffered by parents and children, children as young as two weeks old, has not been enough to spur anything more than minimal action.

Even though most of the long-term families have been released or deported, some remaining families have now been there for several months. Based on the track record at Berks, we can anticipate these families or others will be detained there again for years unless Governor Wolf takes action.

Please call between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on Wednesday, September 13 and urge Governor Wolf to protect these families now: 717-787- 2500. Call again, even if you have called in the past.

We also encourage you to put the word out on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Here are some sample Tweets and Facebook posts:

Sample Tweets:

• .@GovernorTomWolf it is not illegal to issue an ERO on an illegal prison for families. #ShutDownBerks today
• Incarcerating children is inhumane! Why won’t @GovernorTomWolf protect the children held at Berks? It’s time to #ShutDownBerks!
• .@GovernorTomWolf says he supports refugees but hasn’t #ShutDownBerks to protect our families. Why won’t he act?
• It’s time for @GovernorTomWolf to stand up for immigrant families and issue an ERO to #ShutDownBerks!
• .@GovernorTomWolf do you stand with immigrant communities or with Trump’s agenda of hate? Time to #ShutDownBerks!
• Jailing families is inhumane! @GovernorTomWolf stand with immigrant communities and #ShutDownBerks!
• .@GovernorTomWolf you have the power to #ShutDownBerks – issue an ERO today and help our families come home!
• It’s time to #EndFamilyDetention and #ShutDownBerks! Call @GovenorTomWolf today: 717-787-2500
• Children should be free, not in jail! @GovernorTomWolf why won’t you help #ShutDownBerks and free our families?

Sample Facebook Posts:

• Governor Wolf has known for nearly two years that his administration could remove families from the abuse and neglect that they have been enduring in the Berks County Family Detention Center. The Governor’s administration has done the bare minimum to right the immoral and illegal detention of immigrant families. Families continue to be abused under the state’s watch. Governor Wolf is up for reelection in 2018. We need a Governor who goes beyond words, someone who takes action for the immigrant community. If he wants to count on the progressive vote then he needs to act by issuing an emergency removal order on the Berks County Family Detention Center NOW. In June of 2017 a federal judge ruled yet again that the detention of children is a violation of federal regulations. Yet the BCRC has done nothing to comply with the judge’s order. The state is opening itself up to serious legal liability by facilitating BCRC ongoing violation of the court’s order. #ShutDownBerks #Not1more
• Governor Wolf should immediately use the full extent of his power to #ShutDownBerks and release the families by issuing an Emergency Removal Order and sending state officials to escort families out of the prison. Call the Governor today at: 717-787-2500.
• The continued incarceration of families at the Berks Family Detention Center is a disgrace! We are calling on Governor Wolf to work with Secretary Miller of PA DHS to immediately issue an Emergency Removal Order (ERO), which would ensure that the families are released to the care of their families & communities, and work to ensure that the Center is shut down permanently. Extensive legal research was presented directly to Governor Wolf outlining the specific powers that PA DHS has to shut down BCRC, and yet they have refused to take action and protect these children. The laundry list of abuses suffered by parents and children, children as young as two weeks old, has not been enough to spur anything more than minimal action. Call and ask the Governor to protect these families today: 717-787-2500.
• Governor Tom Wolf says he welcomes refugees and stands against Trump’s agenda of hate. Yet he has stood by silently for the past year while children as young as two years old have been held in jail, and allowed repeated human rights violations at a publicly-owned facility. Why won’t he act to protect these immigrant families? Call him and ask: 717-787-2500.