Frontline Dignity says its rapid-response training is designed to help community members understand their legal rights while avoiding interference with law enforcement.
Frontline Dignity hosted a training at a Pittsburgh church Tuesday night focused on how civilians can “lawfully observe and document Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity without escalating tensions or violating the law.”
According to their website, their mission is to, “build community capacity to respond lawfully and effectively to immigration enforcement through rapid response training, organizer development, and strong local and national partnerships. Our work equips everyday people—neighbors, faith leaders, workers, and organizers—with the tools to witness, document, accompany, and protect one another when dignity is under threat.”
The group held its “rapid response training” at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, where attendees reportedly learned what organizers described as the responsibilities of an “ethical witness” during immigration enforcement actions. Operating as a non-profit as part of The Global Switchboard coalition, questions were raised about the legality of operating a meeting inside of a religious institution.
“Knowing your rights is extremely important,” said Jaime Martinez, Frontline Dignity’s executive director.
Martinez and other speakers walked participants through what bystanders may and may not do if they encounter an ICE operation, emphasizing the distinction between lawful observation and unlawful interference.
“Everybody has a right to record law enforcement,” Martinez said. “That’s a matter of safety for the person that is being detained in a specific circumstance, as well as an accountability mechanism to ensure that civil rights violations aren’t happening. Or if they are happening, that there’s accountability.”
Public defenders invited by Frontline Dignity also addressed the crowd, outlining speech protections and explaining that people are generally permitted to ask officers for badge numbers or verbally express frustration — though those actions can carry practical risks.
“Don’t interfere or obstruct with law enforcement. That is not something that we want,” Martinez said. “What you can do is center the needs of the vulnerable.”
Speakers were noted to have warned against physical contact with officers or placing oneself between agents and detainees. Participants were encouraged to observe from a safe distance, document details when lawful and share information with advocacy groups that can connect detainees to legal resources.
“So the idea is that people take accountability for what’s going on in their own community,” Martinez said.
Frontline Dignity said the goal of the training was not confrontation but preparedness — equipping residents to act within the law while supporting neighbors who may be at risk during enforcement actions.
