San Francisco's Board of Supervisors approved a plan for municipal ID's, regardless of immigration status. Like New Haven's municipal ID, which was approved in June, it will encourage marginalized people to collaborate with city police against crime, whether as victims or witnesses. The ID will also make it possible to open bank accounts and therefore make the undocumented less tempting of a target for robbery and assault. The ID can only be used for within the city for city purposes.
I found this video on the New Haven Independent Blog. The short clip shows the outburst of applause right after approval of the plan. The following text explains better than I ever could how important Municipal ID's are.
"It brings tears to my eyes," said Marieah Viviel, who at this hearing told a harrowing tale of how her El Salvadoran housekeeper, Elena, and her son were robbed in their Fair Haven apartment by people who knew they were undocumented and stored large amounts of cash. Viviel found them lying on the kitchen floor, bound by electric cords, their home plundered.
"This will be not just a decloaker for those who are invisible, but a deterrent to those who do what they did to Elena," said Viviel after the vote, wiping her tears. "I'm so glad!"
