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</v:background></xml><![endif]--><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>Hello<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>I have just been made aware of our NFB recommendations statement from President Riccobono as to how to handle an ICE incident at our NFB meetings. I wanted to pass it along to all of you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>Peggy Chong<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear Federation Leaders,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have received questions about how to respond if federal immigration enforcement activity were to occur in connection with an NFB meeting or event. Given heightened concerns in some communities, I want to provide general guidance to help affiliates protect our members, maintain the integrity of our programs, and avoid unnecessary risk. We are operating in a challenging time in our nation, and we will have to continue to coordinate with each other, take measured steps authentic to our organization, and support each other as leaders as we work to build our movement while not ignoring what is happening around us. My heart goes out to our members who are directly and indirectly affected by these events.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>It is important to be clear about our limitations. Most NFB affiliate meetings and events are open to the public and are held in facilities we do not own or control. In those circumstances, affiliates generally do not have a legal basis to deny entry to federal law enforcement agents who are lawfully present. Attempting to do so could place individual members or the affiliate itself at risk.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Accordingly, my guidance is as follows:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Prioritize member safety over symbolism.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> No one should feel pressure to take risks, make statements, or put themselves in harm’s way. Protecting our members—particularly those who may already feel vulnerable—must come before any impulse to respond publicly in the moment.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Avoid interfering with federal law enforcement activity.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Members and leaders should not attempt to block, confront, or physically intervene with agents. Our priority must always be the safety of our members and the long-term health of the organization.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lead the meeting agenda as planned.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> While we may not be able to exclude agents from a public event, we should expect that meetings proceed as planned. If enforcement activity is not directly related to the event, leaders should calmly and firmly insist that the meeting not be interrupted or disrupted.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Document what occurs when lawful to do so.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> In states that permit one-party-consent recording, it is appropriate to record interactions for documentation purposes. This should be done discreetly and without escalating the situation. Recording in two-party consent states may also be appropriate, but affiliates should check the state law for limitations. Affiliates should be aware of and comply with their state’s recording laws.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>No statements should be made on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind without coordination with me and our communications group.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Affiliates may also consider working with community partners to ensure that “know your rights” resources are available to members in accessible formats, making clear that these resources are informational and not a substitute for legal counsel.</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This guidance is not intended to discourage vigilance or care for our community. Rather, it reflects our responsibility to act thoughtfully, lawfully, and in ways that safeguard both individuals and the Federation as a whole.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If an affiliate encounters a situation of concern or has questions about how to respond, please notify me so we can be aware of emerging issues and provide additional support where appropriate.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you for your leadership and for the care you show for our members during challenging times.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Warm regards, Mark</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind <br>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>410-659-9314 | <a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org"><span style='color:blue'>Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Please engage with me through <a href="https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile"><span style='color:blue'>Riccobono Personal AI</span></a><br>Mastodon: @President@nfb.social <br>Pronouns: he, him, his</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div></body></html>