Letters

I felt the need to express my sentiments regarding the recent ICE raids that I personally observed on the morning of Wednesday, November 5, in Hampton Bays [“Federal Immigration Sweep in Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach Sparks Protests,” 27east.com, November 5].

My sister and I have been attending a wonderful program at St. Rosalie’s Catholic Church titled “The Conversation Cafe.” It has a primary purpose of helping primary English speakers improve our Spanish and, conversely, primary Spanish speakers improve their English.

I personally feel that it has given me a second gift. I have made some new friends that just happen to be Latino. This program is sponsored by Corazon de Maria and OLA, both are wonderful not-for-profit agencies operating on the East End.

My sister and I arrived for our weekly session, anticipating seeing the people we have met and imbibing of the delicious luncheon we are served. We were so surprised to be told that the session was canceled due to the fact of ICE raids in Westhampton, and that it was rumored they were also heading to Hampton Bays, to stage at the Hampton Bays Fire Department.

Out of curiosity, my sister and I decided to drive by and see what was happening. We drove down Good Ground Road at about 11:45 a.m. and saw many black vehicles parked in the back lot of the fire department.

Both in our late 70s — senior citizens — we looked at each other and said, “Let’s go in.”

I have to say, I felt like I was in a war zone. At that hour, we counted eight ICE vehicles, with more arriving; some were unmarked, with all of their windows blacked out. As we drove through the parking lot, the federal ICE agents were in full “combat” gear, black jackets marked “police” in large letters. They were opening their trunks and getting guns — big guns — and what looked like bulletproof vests.

My heart was pounding and I was shocked. I must say that just one of the agents looked at us and smiled.

My sister rolled down the driver’s window of our car and quietly said to him, “Good morning, officer — if you have any humanity in you, this must be a very difficult job.” Quietly, he looked at us and said, “It is.”

To all Hampton Bays residents who stood for almost three hours on Friday, November 7, on the side of Montauk Highway, with the same feelings, I have a thank you. We want to express: It is not them, it is us — all Hampton Bays residents.

This is not acceptable, to have this kind of terror and fear in my town. Please may these raids end.

Lorry Werner

Hampton Bays