DRA needs your help to continue protecting some of our nation’s most vulnerable

#GivingTuesdayNow

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** A Sliver of Light
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Dear DRA Supporters, Clients, and Friends,

Today is #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

A Sliver of Light: Last month, as our country suffered under the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic, DRA took action to protect some of our nation’s most vulnerable. DRA’s case against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ([link removed]) on behalf of immigrant detainees with disabilities seeks to protect the rights of the nearly 40,0000 individuals routinely subjected to horrific, inhumane, punitive, and unlawful conditions. COVID-19 made a terrible situation for our clients much worse; placing detainees, especially those with disabilities, in imminent danger of infection and death. DRA filed AND WON a preliminary injunction ([link removed]) seeking a court order requiring that ICE take immediate steps to protect people in immigration detention facilities from COVID-19. Thanks to DRA and our partners, immigrant detainees with disabilities lives
will be protected.

We’re incredibly proud of this victory—a sliver of light in a very dark chapter of our nation’s history where people with disabilities remain some of the most vulnerable and impacted by this terrible pandemic.

The Challenges Before Us: The economic engine that fuels DRA’s vital work is suffering. Courts across the country have slowed and, in some cases, halted. We’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our annual fundraising gala—DRA’s main source of contributed revenue from individuals and corporations.

The Path Forward: DRA must continue to fight for the civil rights of people with disabilities—so that they can access safe shelter, voting, healthcare, housing, education, and employment needed to survive and participate in the face of COVID-19. We can do this with your help and WE’RE ASKING YOU TO INVEST IN DRA TODAY.

Thanks to the generous support of DRA’s board and advisors, every $1 of the first $65,000 we raise this Spring will yield $2 of support for DRA.

DOUBLE MY DONATION ([link removed])
With your support, DRA can and will charge forward in our fight for justice. Just last week, we:
* filed a request for an Emergency Temporary Restraining Order to protect San Diego’s homeless population ([link removed]) who are being forced out of their places of shelter and into areas with no access to proper sanitation—creating pre-conditions for new epidemics; and
* filed a lawsuit challenging California’s discriminatory isolation of deaf clients ([link removed]) with intellectual and developmental disabilities who, without critical information about COVID-19, face major barriers to health and safety.

We want to continue waging these urgent battles. You can help us do it.

Thank you for making a gift (that will be matched!) to support DRA today. We promise to use it to bring about justice—at a time when it’s needed most.

Sincerely,
Image: Headshots, signatures & titles of DRA's Managing Directors: Kate Hamilton, Stuart Seaborn, Michelle Caiola
Image: Headshots, signatures & titles of DRA's Managing Directors: Kate Hamilton, Stuart Seaborn, Michelle Caiola
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Disability Rights Advocates
2001 Center Street, Fourth Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
USA
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