Tacoma City Council members Sandesh Sadalge and Olgy Diaz have taken a stand amidst rising national tensions over the domestic deployment of U.S. military forces. In a collective pushback, these local leaders, along with other municipalities across the nation, have joined an amicus brief challenging what they consider a blurring of lines between military and civilian spheres of operation, as reported by the City of Tacoma website.
The increasing presence of federal troops in urban areas, according to the Tacoma statement, poses a significant risk to fundamental democratic principles. Expressing solidarity with cities that include Seattle, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tacoma seeks to uphold its constitutional rights to wield local control over law enforcement. The brief, as it spans the vast distances from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Iowa City, Iowa forms a collective voice concerned about this precedent and it’s seemingly unconstitutional nature, despite their specific geographies.
At its heart, the amicus brief addresses concerns over the erosion of a constitutional pillar that protects communities by maintaining a dividing line between military and civilian powers. “This case addresses the clear line our Constitution draws between military and civilian power—a separation that protects communities and reinforces the right of residents to have a say in how they are policed,” Tacoma representatives stated on their website. This statement underscores the primacy of civilian governance and accountability…