It all started with this tweet from DC, posted earlier on Thursday:
All over my neighborhood in SW DC today. pic.twitter.com/HU9BwpW0ZW
— Balkans Bohemia (@BalkansBohemia) June 1, 2017
The notice from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement was asking people to report “illegal aliens” by calling 1-800-BE ALERT (which is a real ICE phone number). However, there’s one problem: ICE says that it didn’t post the notices and that they didn’t create them:
“Just like false reports of immigration checkpoints or random sweeps, notices like these are dangerous and irresponsible,” ICE spokesman Carissa Cutrell told BuzzFeed News. “Any person who actively incites panic or fear of law enforcement is doing a disservice to the community, endangering public safety and the very people they claim to support and represent.”
(Sidenote: Did you notice how ICE had to make the claim that there have been “false reports of immigration checkpoints or random sweeps?”)
The ICE denial came after DC mayor Muriel Browser’s Twitter account said that her city “won’t stand for it:”
Tear it down!
DC is a sanctuary city.
Clearly the flyer is meant to scare and divide our residents.
We won't stand for it. #DCValues https://t.co/aCf9ewJ8Ir
— MurielBowser (@MurielBowser) June 1, 2017
The city’s deputy mayor also weighed in:
If you see these flyers in your neighborhood, please know they're not legit! Tear them down & toss them out! pic.twitter.com/lqszmRlGjj
— Deputy Mayor Donahue (@SafeDC) June 1, 2017
He even said that if anyone sees someone post these notices up, they should contact DC police:
This is true! If you have any information on who has been distributing these flyers, please let @DCPoliceDept know: 202-727-9099. https://t.co/g4FEi5sU6s
— Deputy Mayor Donahue (@SafeDC) June 1, 2017
(H/T BuzzFeed News)
