“An insult to Emma’s memory” | News

A
tragedy became a backdrop for political theater Wednesday as Kristi Noem, part of
President Donald Trump’s cabinet, spoke near the home of Emma Shafer, a woman
police believe was killed by a Mexican immigrant.

“Governors like JB Pritzker don’t care if gangbangers, if
murderers, rapists and pedophiles roll free in his state,” the Homeland Security
secretary told reporters near the home where Shafer was slain. “If they are
here illegally, he’s going to protect them.”

Springfield police suspect Shafer, 24, was stabbed to death
in July 2023 by her ex-boyfriend, Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, who was born in
Mexico and brought to the U.S. by his mother as a child.

“His immigration status had nothing to do with what happened
to Emma,” Abigail Robinson, one of Shafer’s closest friends, told Illinois
Times.

Friends and family of Shafer bristled at Noem using Shafer’s
memory to bolster Trump’s deportation policies.

Her parents, Cathy
Schwartz and John Shafer, said in a written statement, “Noem’s words are
in direct conflict with who Emma was as a person. Emma built up community and
stood with all members, including immigrants.”

Sherman native Annie
Fulgenzi, a friend of Shafer’s, said Noem’s actions were void of empathy.

“Emma would never have
wanted to be used as a political prop. It is just so horrifying, especially for
something that Emma would never support – even with what happened to her. What
happened was about that one man. It doesn’t represent an entire group of people
or every immigrant in this country. And it’s really gross to see her story used
as if it is representative.”

Springfield lawyer and
Trump supporter Kent Gray was among those present for Noem’s remarks.

“I can’t even begin to
imagine losing a child, especially in that manner. And I think a lot of
Republicans and conservatives in Springfield have a little bit of confusion
about what the support is for illegal immigration, especially when this is a
potential result, even though rare,” he said.

Gray said he is under
consideration by the Trump administration to be appointed U.S. Attorney for
Central Illinois. 

Noem’s 20-minute news
conference near Eighth and Canedy streets ended when protesters arrived.

Protesters had initially
gathered across from the Governor’s Mansion, where Noem had been expected to
speak. As word spread that Noem was holding her press conference at a different
location, some of the protesters left to find her.

“How dare you use Emma
for your racist agenda,” shouted Francesca Butler, who knew Shafer as a fellow Springfield community activist.

Later
she told IT, “Unfortunately, Emma died because a man saw her as an
object. And I think the same exact thing is happening in her death, which is
why it’s so unacceptable. Again, she is being used as an object to put forward
the agenda of someone.”

Butler
added her friend was opposed to Trump’s policies and would never have supported
his deportation agenda.

Calixto-Pichardo has been charged with
three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic
battery in Shafer’s death, but not apprehended. Shortly after Shafer’s
homicide, Police Chief Ken Scarlette told the State Journal-Register there
was indication that he may have returned to Mexico.    

During the news conference,
Noem waved a wanted poster for Calixto-Pichardo and said because he had a
previous felony on his record, he should have been deported immediately after
he was released from custody.

Noem claimed her staff had reached out to Shafer’s family, asking
them to attend the news conference, but she said they did not get a response.

Noem appeared unphased when a reporter told her that Shafer’s
mother was blocks away at that moment protesting with about 300 other people against
Noem’s Springfield appearance.

“You know the best answer I have for why a beautiful,
vibrant woman would be used for their political end is that they just don’t
know us,” Butler said. “Because if they had any knowledge of our community at
all, I don’t think they would’ve used her name.”

Robinson added Noem was uncaring about how her words would
affect others.

“I think that it was done with such carelessness and such
political desire to get ahead that they didn’t even think about how it would
affect Emma’s family or Emma’s friends or the community itself. They were just
spreading lies and they were using Emma in a way that I never thought that
people would,” she said.

In response to Noem, Pritzker released this statement:
“Unlike Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law. ​The Trump
Administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due
process and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are
U.S. citizens. Yet, they are taking no real action to promote public safety and
deport violent criminals within the clear and defined legal process. Trump-Noem
publicity stunts do not make our communities safer or our immigration system
smarter.”

In their statement, Shafer’s parents said of their daughter, “She dedicated her
life – her career and her free time – to causes of social justice and equity.
That was just who she was. To see her used by Secretary Noem and others to
advance a cruel and heartless political agenda is not just deeply painful to us
– it is an insult to her memory.”