Skip navigation

Safeguarding Richmond’s Sanctuary City Status

Richmond is a Sanctuary City—What does that mean to us?

How do we help people in our community feel safe? What are some ways to support undocumented members? We need to be proactive and thoughtful. What might we propose?

We had the great pleasure of learning about this very critical and timely issue from our own Marisol Cantú. She explained the ins and outs of being a sanctuary city as well as the "Know Your Rights" program to inform immigrants. Cantú has already given workshops and training on these topics throughout Contra Costa County, and she will continue to teach through Reimagine Richmond.

Cantú explained the difference between a city making a surface statement that simply says "we’re a sanctuary city" to solidifying that through a sanctuary ordinance that has more investment in the enterprise and offers real protection, that is, a sanctuary city could be designated with safe zones or not permit ICE transfers.

Action plans: Cantú encouraged us to press the city to strengthen our sanctuary city status. The group also suggested that RPA make a statement in solidarity as allies. We can become allies with the Stand Together Legal Services with Contra Costa County as well as train our own RPA members to be informed on these rights as well as become legal observers ("see something, say something, do something") should we want to be present at raids and report ICE through a rapid response line. Another action would be to canvass areas in our city that are inhabited by large groups of immigrants. Our door-knocking would include an educational two-sided sheet (English on one side, Spanish on the other) with the Know Your Rights information as well as RPA’s statement of support, noting this has been part of our history since our founding over twenty years ago. 

Two participants agreed to seek a larger venue in which to host a training for immigrants, city residents, and RPA members to become better informed on the topic. For next month’s Roundtable, we plan to continue this conversation focusing on how this might help RPA spread the word about who we are and our long-standing support for immigrants.

Continue Reading

Read More

Updating Richmond’s Aging Sewage Infrastructure

February 19, 2025

Latest News from Richmond City Hall Catch up on hot items from the last Richmond City Council meeting below. If you're interested in making public comments as a member of RPA or getting involved, contact us. Meetings are primarily held on the first, third,...

Read more

Goals of the Settlement

February 18, 2025

Understanding the Chevron Settlement Richmond, CA – Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez's statement regarding the Chevron Settlement: There’s been significant interest and positive feedback regarding the Chevron settlement funds secured in 2024. However, it’s important to clarify that the $550 million is not a lump...

Read more