The Greenbelt City Council narrowly passed a motion on February 10 to issue a statement affirming their commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI).
This motion, introduced by Councilmember Jenni Pompi, comes as President Donald Trump has sought to terminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and positions, and targeted immigrants by attempting to dismantle birthright citizenship and allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access sensitive locations such as schools and houses of worship.
Mayor Emmett Jordan voiced opposition to the motion, urging caution with respect to the activities of Trump’s administration. “I am not interested in making any sort of a statement that’s going to put a target on the city of Greenbelt,” he said.
Supporting the motion, Councilmember Kristen Weaver argued that the target might already exist as the city has a diversity, equity and inclusion officer and other related programs. Councilmember Silke Pope said she didn’t want to make their target any bigger.
The motion passed 4 to 3 with Councilmembers Amy Knesel, Danielle McKinney, Jenni Pompi and Kristen Weaver in favor and Jordan, Pope and Rodney Roberts opposed. The city’s JEDI statement will follow in the footsteps of neighboring communities such as College Park, whose city council signed a One College Park Proclamation on January 21, declaring its own commitment to DEI.
The council also passed three separate motions similarly addressing recent actions by the Trump administration, all of which were introduced by Pompi.
The first directs the Community Relations Advisory Board to evaluate and update the community pledge to reaffirm a commitment to JEDI principles. It passed unanimously.
A second instructs city staff to work on a municipal ordinance supporting the Greenbelt Police Department’s General Order 675. City Manager Josué Salmerón stated a key feature of the general order is that officers shall not collaborate with ICE to enforce civil control of federal immigration laws, and that anything brought to council will fit within the General Order and go through legal review with the city’s solicitor. The motion passed 6 to 1 with Pope opposed. She expressed a desire to speak with Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers first.
A third measure approved the publication of a letter submitted by Pompi that was sent to Greenbelt residents on February 13, which reaffirmed the city’s commitment to its community pledge (see the February 20 issue).
Supporting State Legislation
Council unanimously voted to write letters in support of two Maryland bills addressing Trump’s executive order allowing federal law enforcement to access sensitive locations. Senate Bill 977 would empower local or state units to deny federal immigration law enforcement access to certain databases, facilities or buildings without a warrant. House Bill 1006 would require the attorney general to develop guidelines relating to immigration law enforcement at sensitive locations including schools and houses of worship.
Other actions by the city aim to inform residents about their rights and the situation regarding immigration control. Greenbelt has a non-citizen population of about 4,000 according to the World Population Review.
Salmerón said that the city was set to host administrative meetings on immigration, including one with ICE Director Matthew Elliston, who oversees enforcement activities in the Baltimore Field Office.
Salmerón hoped to schedule public Know Your Rights information sessions with constituents and Train the Trainer sessions to teach volunteer residents how they can inform others about their rights. He also said that Greenbelt CARES has partnered with Springhill Lake Elementary School to host counseling sessions for Spanish-speaking families. The first session featured a Q&A with an immigration lawyer.
Supporting Federal Workers
Pompi introduced a discussion and potential actions in response to federal and executive actions to protect the interests and people of Greenbelt. Council discussed ways to support federal workers impacted by executive orders from Trump in the form of layoffs, return-to-office demands and cancelled contracts.
McKinney suggested that council serve as a filter for information received from delegates and senators. “There’s just so much information coming out,” she said. Pope added that some information reaches council faster than it may reach the public and could be shared via the city website.
Jordan agreed that council needs to serve as a conduit for information and acknowledged Greenbelt residents, institutions, nonprofit organizations and the city itself are impacted by the executive orders. “It’s huge,” he said of the impact on Greenbelt. The city’s not sure it will be reimbursed for services already provided, whether promised grants will come and whether state funding from federal sources is in question. “It’s daunting,” said Jordan.
Roberts noted that many of Trump’s executive orders have been challenged in courts and said that council should focus on getting people the right legal resources to contribute to that effort. “That’s the only thing that’s gonna stop what Trump wants to do,” Roberts said. “There are laws that even the president has to go by.” Roberts suggested connecting people to legal resources would be the most helpful and is where council should focus its attention.
Pompi said that residents, especially those who have lost employment, should be aware of food services available to them in the community.
Weaver reflected on her own conversations with impacted federal workers and suggested forming a gathering place for people to come together. “Sometimes it can just feel like you’re dealing with it alone,” she said.
Knesel said council was limited in what they can do as a governmental body and encouraged individual residents to take action independently of council. “You don’t need government to tell you that it’s OK to throw a potluck,” she said. “I would love for us to show the public that we as individuals can be a huge part of community building, because it is going to take every single member of our community to keep us strong.”
William Hammann is a student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, writing for the Greenbelt News Review.
