On Saturday, a Nationwide Day of Action will take place in communities across the country. Grassroots mobilizers from Manhattan to Montana, Wilmington, N.C., to Humboldt County will be taking part in a coordinated protest demanding that Avelo Airlines “terminate its contract with ICE and stop flying deportation flights.”

Organizers from Humboldt Democracy Connections will be at the Arcata Plaza this weekend, canvassing and speaking with community members.

25-city-wide protests

In a virtual press conference held Wednesday morning, the Coalition to Stop Avelo and partnering organizations outlined ongoing efforts to force Avelo and CEO Andrew Levy to end its partnership with the Trump administration and stop deportation flights that the coalition calls “illegal, inhumane and unconstitutional.”

“This weekend marks, really, the first time that 25 cities are hosting anti-Avelo protests on the same day,” Matthew Boulay, an organizer with the coalition, said during that news conference. “And the purpose really is that we’re stronger together, and our voices are louder together.”

Speakers at the news conference included representatives from the office of New York State Sen. Patricia Fahy (D-Albany), the first to introduce statewide legislation that would ban state agencies and public benefits corporations from contracting with commercial airlines that violate due process. Freshman New Hampshire State Representative Seth Miller (D-Dover), who organized an anti-Avelo billboard campaign targeting the airline’s deportation flights, spoke about his ongoing efforts to push against the airline’s actions.

Organizers from Defend and Recruit provided links to a number of online resources, as well.

Local efforts

On Saturday, organizers with the Humboldt Democracy Connections will take a two-pronged approach, protesting with banners spread over the U.S. Highway 101 overpass at Murray Road as well as engaging directly with community members at the Arcata Plaza.

Petra Bingham, a concerned Humboldt County resident involved with the organization of the protests, told the Times-Standard that she became engaged with grassroots efforts because “we want our values to be represented in a democratic system, and what’s happening — especially with these flights — is contrary to that.”

“I follow what’s happening in the national news with grave concern. I’m an immigrant myself, and (have dealt with) a lot of the issues that many of the people facing this have, but I’m privileged,” Bingham said. “I’m a white person, and this is definitely racial biased — blood money flights … It’s for profit, and … illegal abductions for profit are not welcome in our community — in any of our communities.”

Bingham said that her organization was hoping to raise awareness that, in addition to Avelo receiving tax credits to operate in the county, Humboldt County has a minimum income agreement with Avelo and provides a subsidy to the airline to operate out of the Humboldt County airport in McKinleyville.

She said that the public agreement is opaque to the county’s taxpayers and “at minimum, a kind of good-faith agreement that comes with these kinds of contracts is being violated when the residents do not hear what a public agreement includes and then finds out that this airline conducts illegal abductions.”

“There’s a subsidy that happens (at the level of) the county that we would like to use as leverage as well as the fuel tax exemption that comes from the state of California,” Bingham said.

Humboldt Democracy Connections has been in touch with Assembleymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) and hopes that a statewide bill like that introduced by Lahy in New York might be introduced in the next legislative session.

Aviation in Humboldt County

Humboldt County is currently in the process of appointing a new aviation director.

Incoming Humboldt County Aviation Director Ryan Cooley told the Times-Standard that, while he is not yet in charge of aviation in the county, he takes the concerns of the region’s citizens seriously.

“As the incoming director of aviation for Humboldt County, I have not yet formally assumed my duties, so I am not currently involved in operational decisions or public engagement on behalf of the county or the airport,” Cooley told this reporter via text message. “That said, I understand that commercial air service providers operate independently and in compliance with all applicable federal regulations, including those set by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“I recognize the community’s right to express its views and concerns, and I take seriously any dialogue that involves human rights and public accountability. Once I officially begin my role, my focus will be to ensure the safe, secure and efficient operation of the airport while also maintaining open communication with the public and stakeholders on all issues that intersect with aviation in our region.”

Bingham said that Humboldt Democracy Connections had been in contact with the Arcata Plaza Farmers Market and the North Coast Growers’ Association with regard to their canvassing efforts and would be acting in agreement with their community rules. The plaza might be packed as the Forest Moon Festival is hosting an event the same morning.