Most of us never learned about los desaparecidos from Central America in school, how throughout the 1980s in Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador, American supported militaries disappeared priests, nuns, whole villages who opposed them. Now, four decades later, as vibrant jacarandas bloom purple across the Southland, our cities have become vulnerable to these same United States Federal forces.
As communities resiliently recover from this winter’s devastating fires, as students wrap up the accomplishments of another school year and walk across stages, our friends, neighbors, and family are being pulled from our streets and classrooms, from car washes and fields. As the ongoing genocide in Gaza continues to unfold, our screens have become overwhelmed with images of violence in our streets, schools, and workplaces.
Women Who Submit stands in unwavering support of our vulnerable Latinx communities and all those being racially profiled by these illegal deportation actions. We stand shoulder to shoulder with these Black and Brown communities and all those being treated inhumanely. We call for the immediate release of those callously disappeared from our neighborhoods and families. Women Who Submit opposes the existence of ICE and the presence of the National Guard and military troops in our city. The presence of these forces legitimizes the illegal and cruel efforts of ICE and escalates violence against those engaged in civil disobedience and other forms of protest.
It is Trump, ICE, Border Patrol and the US military bringing violence and chaos to the people of Los Angeles and of the Americas.
We urge our community to take action. We acknowledge the unique and varied ways people are able to push back and urge you to connect to local efforts in your area. If you have the wherewithal to push back financially, here are some funds and resources to pass along.
Vecinos Unidos Whittier: Whittier advocates for how to support our immigrant communities
Centro CSO: Grassroots organization based in Boyle Heights
JailSupportLA raises funds to support jailed protestors (Venmo: JailSupportLA)
Clue Justice has a detained immigrant bond fund
GoFundMe for three siblings affected by detention
GoFundMe to bring Diego back to his family
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Central American Resource Center
There are growing opportunities for direct action as well. As we head into this summer, we urge you to lean into the community and resist fascism as it rears its head in all of our communities.
https://www.chirla.org/donatenow/ Organization to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees.
https://www.idepsca.org/programs Day labor support
http://stopicealerta.ddns.net/ Report and receive updates on ICE sightings and terror
https://ndlon.org/ National Day Labor Network
https://www.ccijustice.org/carrn find your local rapid response network
https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.orgAsian Americans Advancing Justice
https://ajsocal.org Asian Americans Advancing Justice So Cal
https://www.aclunc.org/home ACLU Northern California
https://action.aclu.org/give/now ACLU National
https://www.maldef.org Legal support
Finally, for those in our community personally affected by these raids and acts of terror, know that Women Who Submit supports you, your families, and your loved ones. We see your struggle, and we fight with you.Â
