Our Principles
Our work is guided by the following principles.
We reject violence and harm
Don’t hope you can convince us. Don’t try to suggest it sideways. We’re not interested. We’ve ushered folks out who thought we should be open-minded about it.
No violence, no threats, no intimidation, no destruction of property. That isn’t us.
Disagreement and protest can be firm, creative, and effective without putting anyone in harm’s way. We are of one mind to protect people, communities, and the integrity of this work itself.
We act lawfully and responsibly
We will not break the law.
Our brand of civic engagement includes research, public education, advocacy, and participation in established democratic processes. If the law cannot be defended from within the law, then the law has been lost already.
Durable change depends on our credibility and discipline through the hardest moments. Breaking the law detonates credibility.
We uphold constitutional principles and human rights
We were told in school, for 12-13 years, to pledge our allegiance with words ending with…
“…with liberty and justice for all.”
Everything we are doing was borne in intoning those familiar, tired words hundreds of times. Today we don’t drone them. We live them.
Everyone — including immigrants, regardless of citizenship or immigration status — deserves justice and liberty. And even in those very uncommon cases where arrest or detainment is unambiguously necessary, they deserve our compassion and their human dignity respected.
We respect community autonomy and democratic participation
Dozens of towns around the US are dealing urgently with ICE hurried, reckless move to convert local warehouses into detention centers. They profound human and social consequences should not be made in isolation from the communities they affect.
We support informed public participation, local transparency, and good-faith engagement with civic institutions. We aim to strengthen — not bypass — democratic processes.
We act with care, accuracy, and accountability
The info we share via this collaboration reflects lived experience, ongoing research, and lessons learned. Some material may be contextual, provisional, or under review. Unless otherwise stated, it is private.
We strive for accuracy, welcome correction, and recognize our responsibility to avoid misrepresentation or unnecessary escalation.
We work across boundaries in good faith
Our collaboration spans municipalities, states, and national borders because the issues we oppose do the same.
We approach all this with respect for local context, legal differences, and cultural norms, and we act in solidarity rather than substitution.
Connect with us @ our-team@iwrnn.com
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