Tell Arkansas leaders: No troops for deportations

Stand Against Military Force on Civilians

The Trump administration – with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' support – is threatening to deploy the military to silence civilians and support immigration enforcement. This isn't public safety. It's political repression.

Using troops to target immigrants, silence dissent, and intimidate protestors is a dangerous, authoritarian abuse of power. It violates constitutional rights, escalates fear in our communities, and turns military force against the very people it's meant to protect.

We must say no – loudly, clearly, and together.

As Arkansans, we are deeply alarmed by growing efforts to use military force – including National Guard troops – to suppress dissent, intimidate immigrant communities, and silence nonviolent protest. We condemn any attempt to turn our armed forces against civilians exercising their constitutional rights.

We denounce Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' pledge to support the Trump administration's plans to use the National Guard for immigration enforcement. This is a dangerous, unlawful, and authoritarian abuse of power that echoes a broader pattern of militarized responses to public dissent, particularly for immigrants' rights and issues of race and racial justice.

The use of military force against civilians – whether they are immigrants, protestors, or community members standing up for justice – is a grave violation of democratic values and constitutional protections. This is not a legitimate exercise of public safety authority – it is the use of state power to suppress and intimidate the very people it is supposed to serve.

Sending armed troops into our neighborhoods to arrest, intimidate, and silence people is a tactic rooted in fear, not justice. It reflects the same authoritarian playbook used to suppress racial justice movements and criminalize dissent. And it is being used to escalate a cruel deportation agenda grounded in xenophobia and white supremacy.

As Arkansans, we believe in freedom, fairness, and dignity for all. We stand for the rights of all people and denounce division and oppression. These actions violate those principles:

They breach the constitutional guardrails that separate military and civilian life.
They increase the risk of harm, trauma, and state violence in our communities.
They create fear and silence – especially among immigrant families and communities of color.
They divert military resources away from disaster relief and public good to serve political agendas.

This cannot become our new normal.

We call on every Arkansan – especially those who are not at risk of arrest or deportation – to step up. If you have power, privilege, or protection, now is the time to use it. Your silence enables abuse. Your voice can protect families, defend democracy, and demand accountability.

We demand:

That the Trump administration abandon use of the National Guard and other troops against civilians and for immigration enforcement.
That the State of Arkansas revoke all support for these operations and refuse to deploy our National Guard or other troops against dissenters, protesters, and immigrants.
That all elected officials speak out publicly against this dangerous misuse of power and affirm the rights and safety of all people in Arkansas.

This moment demands moral courage. We unequivocally denounce military force targeting immigrant families and those who speak out for justice and equality. History will remember who looked away – and who had the courage to resist.

We choose to act. We choose to resist. We support our neighbors and fellow Americans against the use of military force on civilians.

Support this Petition

Add your name now to demand that Arkansas refuse to support these unconstitutional operations. Call on our leaders to reject this misuse of military power and defend the rights and safety of all people.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

City *

Zip *

Phone

Preferred contact method: *

Are you affiliated with any business, civic, faith, or community group we should know about?

Show my signature

Leave this field blank

By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU's privacy policy.

If I have entered a phone number, I allow the ACLU, its state affiliates, and their respective representatives to call or text me about ways to take action and to support the ACLU organizations.