In May of 2018 Jose Bello, a 22-year-old student at Bakersfield College was taken into ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody on suspicions of being in a gang. Bello, an undocumented immigrant who came to America when he was three-years-old, was released when community groups helped post his $10,000 bail.
Motivated by his initial encounter with ICE, Bello read a poem at a public forum held by the Kern County board of supervisors. Bello’s poem was extremely critical of the immigration policy. Entitled “Dear America”, the poem reads: “We demand our respect. We want our dignity back./Our roots run deep in this country, now that’s a true fact…We don’t want your jobs. We don’t want your money./ We’re here to work hard, pay taxes, and study.” Approximately 36 hours after reading the poem, Jose Bello was arrested.
Demario Davis is a 6 foot 2, 248-pound linebacker from Collins, Mississippi. His football journey has led him close to home, as he is one of the team’s captains for the New Orleans Saints. Davis is a linebacker who is a combination of speed, athleticism, and great leadership qualities. He plays the game in a violent and physical nature. During the 2018 NFL season, he racked up 110 tackles and 5 sacks. Davis and the New Orleans Saints fell one game short of making it to the Super Bowl.
In addition to being a defensive enforcer, Davis is a devout Christian. When he makes a big play he celebrates by striking his “Jesus on the cross” pose. “I just try to be an imitator of Christ in everything I do,” Davis said. The physical linebacker tackles opponents on the field and he tackles issues off the field. In March of 2019, Demario Davis along with Washington Redskin cornerback Josh Norman spent two days in Flint, Michigan being educated on the city’s water crisis that has been in existence since 2014. Davis and Norman rented a U-haul and bought 400 cases of bottled water for the residents of Flint.
Jose Bello and Demario Davis’s paths would cross once Davis heard about Bello’s case. He felt outraged about how Bello was targeted for daring to speak his mind. Once again Demario Davis teamed up with Josh Norman. The two NFL players along with the New York Immigrant Freedom Fund, and the National Bail Fund Network joined together to pay Bello’s bond.
“We’ve seen ICE round up a 22-year-old father, Jose because he read a critical poem. We’ve seen ICE round up nearly 700 people in Mississippi and leaving their children without parents, we’ve seen them turn away asylum seekers who will face certain death in their home countries. Is this America? We must say no, and we must start by helping our most vulnerable,” Davis stated.
After being detained by ICE for a second time Jose Bello admitted he saw his whole future go out the window. He’s very thankful for Davis and Norman. He also stated their gesture was a sign of hope.
Currently, Demario Davis is physically and mentally preparing himself for another run at helping his team, the New Orleans Saints, earn a trip to the Super Bowl.Â
After three months in which Jose Bello described as “miseryâ€, he is grateful that he can now see his mom and spend time with his son. The paths between the NFL linebacker and the brave activist crossed due to a case of social injustice. Hopefully, their paths will physically cross in the near future as Jose Bello looks forward to the day he can personally thank Demario Davis for the kind gesture.
