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Written by Jane Palmer Happy Memorial Day, This is my dad, Alfred Brian Palmer, who did not die in the service of his country (also, he was Australian) but he knew first hand what hell it was to be in prison camp. During World War II, he was imprisoned by
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All are welcome to attend a vigil in support of Erasmo's family on Sunday, May 10th at 4:00 PM - see details in post. Also, read on for important developments in Erasmo's case.
IF YOU WITNESS ICE ACTIVITY IN BERKS COUNTY, CALL THE BURN RAPID RESPONSE HOTLINE AND GIVE AS MUCH DETAIL AS YOU CAN. HOTLINE: 610-850-9930 We need to put an end to human warehousing. DHS/ICE purchased an unused warehouse located at 3501 Mountain Road in Upper Bern Township
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UPDATE (5/8/26) SUNDAY: Join ALDEA for a peaceful vigil at the home of Erasmo Zavala Almanza, a Berks County grandfather, caregiver, and cooperating witness in a domestic violence homicide case who is currently detained by ICE. From ALDEA: We are planning a vigil this Mother's Day
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We want ICE completely out of Berks, root and branch — we want a county where all of our neighbors, regardless of status, can live without fear of state-sanctioned violence. Communities across the country are already winning this fight. We can too.
This heart-wrenching letter to Gov. Shapiro was sent from the wife of a Berks County resident who lives mere miles from the proposed ICE warehouse. The trauma of needless ICE detention and the pain of family separation is evident. (edited to protect identities) February 25, 2026 Dear Governor Shapiro,
UPDATE: Angela Della Valle was reunited with husband Carlos on April 28 after 258 Days Separated by Prolonged Detention. "Every day, Angela Della Valle drives an hour through central Louisiana’s yellow-pine hills to visit her husband at Winn Correctional Center, in the middle of the Kisatchie National
Congressman Dan Meuser wrote this opinion piece on March 27 detailing the assurances he's received from DHS about the warehouses in Upper Bern and Tremont. His tone suggests that we all just relax because everything is gonna be alright. Seriously, Dan? As if we don't know
Dear Prison Board, We have questions. You, the members of the Berks County Prison Board, are responsible for the safe-keeping, discipline, and employment of prisoners, and the government and management of the Berks County Jail, where upwards of 700 people are held every day at a cost to taxpayers
On March 28, 2026 , at 11th and Rockland Streets and in downtown Kutztown, thousands of Berks Countians showed up at No Kings Protest along with an estimated 8 million people nationwide. It was the largest single day protest in American history. We protested a regime that is sending masked agents
Feb 27, 2026 Thank you for joining the thousands of Pennsylvanians saying NO to ICE in Berks County. And thanks to Governor Shapiro for coming here yesterday and promising to use “every tool at his disposal” to stop planned ICE detention centers here and in neighboring Schuylkill County. “We are
The Department of Homeland Security quietly purchased an industrial warehouse in Upper Bern Township near Hamburg with plans to convert it into an ICE detention center for up to 1,500 people for a limited time. They also purchased a warehouse in Schuylkill County near Tremont to imprison 7,500
Berks County Commissioners Business Meeting Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:00am. 13th Floor Commissioners' Boardroom, Services Center, 633 Court Street, Reading PA 19601, Online via Teams and BCTV Bookmark https://www.berkspa.gov/departments/commissioners/meetings for the agenda. Prison Board Meeting Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 9:00am