John,

We have great news. Today, our union sister Rümeysa Öztürk will be released after 30+ days in ICE detention.

In late March, she was unduly snatched off a public street. Now, she’s getting justice. 

But while we have reason to celebrate, for Rümeysa sake, the abuse of power by ICE and the vilification of immigrants, as well as attacks on our First Amendment, are in sharp focus.

What's more, Rümeysa is just one union sibling who was targeted by ICE and then taken off the streets.

Lelo Juarez was organizing farm workers for better pay and protections against extreme heat. Lewelyn Dixon and Cliona Ward, both green card holders who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives, visited their families in the Philippines and Ireland. All were taken by immigration authorities.

We won’t be silent in the face of this terror and lawlessness. Sign the pledge: Stand with workers and ALL people under threat from ICE. 

If it can happen to them, it can happen to you or me. And while workers, united in a union or not, fought for Rümeysa, we have to stay strong for ourselves and others. 

Corporations and elected officials alike want to weaken our power. They think they can bully us into silence because they know the power we have when we stand up for our rights in solidarity with each other.

Prove them wrong. Sign the pledge to stand with anyone under threat from ICE, and show them what real solidarity looks like.

Rümeysa and Cliona are home. But Lelo, Lewelyn, and so many others should be home with their friends and families, too. It’s on all of us to make sure they’re not forgotten.

In solidarity,

Jamila Allen
Wendy’s
Durham, NC
Fight for a Union