Professor Urges Doxxing ICE Agents, Disrupting Their Operations Online
A recent controversy has emerged surrounding a professor at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. Steve Werkmeister has sparked criticism for promoting doxxing of ICE agents and suggesting community disruption of ICE operations.
Professor Advocates Doxxing ICE Agents
Serving as an English professor, Werkmeister, known as Steve W on social media, has been active on the platform Bluesky. He describes himself as a “slacker” with left-leaning views.
On Monday, he shared a flyer from an advocacy group encouraging activists to use whistles to intervene during ICE operations. The flyer instructs individuals on how to disrupt activities by signaling to others when ICE is present.
Controversial Social Media Activity
Werkmeister also supported a post from internet activist John Pavlovitz, urging individuals to expose their relatives or neighbors working in ICE. This post suggests that such persons should be ostracized within their communities. In various posts, Werkmeister refers to federal immigration enforcement as “kidnapping.”
On October 10, he expressed fears for his safety due to his ethnic background, stating that his family might be targeted by ICE. He has communicated with college officials about potentially teaching online from a safer location overseas.
Anxiety Over Perceived Threat
Werkmeister has voiced his anxiety about his safety, particularly regarding his ethnicity. He described his protocol for returning to the U.S. after traveling abroad, expressing concern that his family might be detained because of their skin color.
- He posted: “If they didn’t get the second text, they’d know we were detained and needed lawyers right away.”
- He noted that upon returning home, he felt a heightened sense of anxiety about violence and aggression in the United States.
Criticism of Racial Dynamics
Further comments made by Werkmeister target White Americans, describing interactions with them as “psychological terrorism.” He expressed a belief that White individuals are seeking to maintain privilege at the expense of marginalized communities.
Institution’s Response
In response to the situation, a spokesperson from Johnson County Community College emphasized the institution’s dedication to open dialogue and its core values. As of now, Werkmeister has not publicly commented on the backlash surrounding his statements.
This incident highlights the tension surrounding discussions about immigration enforcement and community activist responses, drawing attention to diverse views within academia and society at large.
