District Attorney Larry Krasner hosted the second “Be the Light, Bring the Light” town hall Sept. 17 at Grace Baptist Church in Germantown.

The meeting was held to address Philadelphians’ concerns about the possibility of the National Guard being deployed to the city to aid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in their immigration arrests.

The night began with questions from moderator Andrea Lawful Sanders. Krasner talked about the progress the city has made in public safety and acknowledged the possible harm that could be caused in the event of troops being sent to Philadelphia.

He said, in troubling times, answers often come from the community.

“The reality is a lot of people are sitting and listening to elected officials who are going to save them. But I’m going to be honest, the ones who are going to save you are going to be you, and anything I can do to help with that, I will do,” Krasner said.

Krasner affirmed that because of the 10th Amendment, which declares that if the Constitution does not give power to the national government or take it away from the states, it is up to the people to decide what happens.

The Constitution does not require local officials to cooperate with ICE. Therefore, the decision to cooperate with ICE or the National Guard for immigration arrests is up to local officials.

“Frankly, I’d much rather be catching people from a homicide than running around catching hardworking kitchen workers who are undocumented,” Krasner said.

After the initial question-and-answer section, the town hall’s other panelists, Rev. Donna Jones, Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, and Men Who Care of Germantown Executive Director Joe Budd came to the stage to express their concerns surrounding the possible deployment of the National Guard.

Liebling shared that he thinks the National Guard will come into the city when Philadelphians are least expecting it.

“I think that it is a high probability that this administration will bring troops into this city over the summer to somehow take guard for the 250th anniversary [of America]. And use that as an excuse to keep the troops in the city… to intimidate and keep people from going to the polls in 2026,” Liebling said.

Liebling expressed that “interfaith, interracial, and interethnic” solidarity before the troops come may be the only way to get through it.

When asked how these partnerships can be created, Liebling replied, “Last Ramadan, at the masjid where this town hall was supposed to be held, we had the Iftar dinner, the dinner where Muslims break their fast. It was wonderful. We had Muslims, Christians, and Jews together. So, inviting each other into our houses of worship, celebrating together, and breaking bread together. That is one way to do it.”

Jones shared some post-COVID statistics on crime, citing decreasing rates. She attributed the reduction to the allocation of increased city funding to community-centered organizations “that were actually doing the work.”

Budd expressed his concerns about potentially fatal interactions the youth of Philadelphia may have with the National Guard. He encouraged the men in the room to get involved with any organization that could help manage these possible outcomes.

“The key for our young people is preparation. … I’m from Philly, and I know sometimes we get a little rambunctious when we’re tested,” Budd said. “Imma keep it 100 because this is serious stuff happening right now with our young people and their emotions. Emotions that could get them murdered by a National Guardsman.”

Budd explained how early intervention in youths’ lives helped them succeed in other areas. He also believes this kind of intervention may be the key to minimizing potential harm involving the National Guard.

“Get involved. You don’t have to get involved with Men Who Care. You don’t have to go on the street corners when we go, or the rec centers, or the schools, but you have to do something,” Budd said.

The evening concluded with questions from the youth to the D.A. and a few community question cards read by Melany Nelson, director of the CARES Unit of the District Attorney’s Office.

“What is being done in the schools when parents are snatched? Are families being told to update their phone numbers and addresses? Who is getting these kids from school? Are the kids being taught about ICE in schools?” Nelson read.

Moderator Sanders answered for Krasner, saying, “Families are meeting and having dialogue. We know the ones in families who are undocumented. We’re not going to tell you, but we know. This is who is going to take the child to school. This is who is going to live with us. But the problem comes when they don’t have family.”

Bilal seemed certain about the lack of cooperation between ICE and the Sheriff’s office.

“The Sheriff’s office does not cooperate with ICE,” Bilal said, causing the room to erupt in applause. But she cautioned that if ICE has a warrant, they have to do their jobs.