Friend,

"Democracy is under assault right before our eyes," Governor Gavin Newsom
said.(1)

It couldn't be more true today.

Not only has Donald Trump deployed nearly 5,000 troops against his own
people in Los Angeles, but today, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley threatened
Courage California partner, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of
Los Angeles (CHIRLA), with a criminal investigation falsely accusing them
of organizing and funding the protests against ICE abductions.(2)

And when United States Senator from California Alex Padilla tried to
question Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the
use of armed forces in our state, he was forcibly removed from the room
and handcuffed.(3)

Friend, CHIRLA is an essential advocate on the ground, organizing
immediate assistance to communities hostilely raided and violated by ICE
and the military, including legal representation and shelter. They need
your help in this moment.

[ [link removed] ]Will you donate to help defend immigrant communities against the Trump
onslaught in Southern California? 100% of your donation will go to
CHIRLA's on-the-ground rapid response efforts working to protect our
friends and neighbors.

[ [link removed] ]DONATE TO CHIRLA

The arrival of federalized soldiers on California’s streets was a way to
deliberately escalate the tensions between Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) and the peaceful protesters standing up for the
Constitutional rights of their friends and neighbors, with more than 150
people arrested.(4) And as this performative military occupation
continues, it is only getting worse.

While the media attention is on the use of tear gas and flash bangs
against the protesters, Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has
authorized the military to assist ICE agents in immigration raids and
detain U.S. Citizens, practically guaranteeing the risk of increased
violence and threatening lives. More than 300 immigrants have been
detained in just a few days since the deployment.(5)

This is why CHIRLA is so important. The trusted organization has essential
legal services and advocacy that safeguard immigrant rights, ensuring that
vulnerable California communities have a voice and a support system.

Now, Trump's government is persecuting CHIRLA for this essential work.

This is a witch hunt. Let’s be clear: no law has been invoked allowing the
military to participate in immigration sweeps, but Trump and Hegseth do
not care.(6) California has forcefully rejected the use of its own
National Guard on the streets, but Trump and Hegseth do not care.(7)

And in a case where the executive branch of the government is flouting the
will of the people and infringing on states’ rights, we must protect those
most vulnerable ourselves.

[ [link removed] ]Please join us in standing in solidarity with CHIRLA and donate to help
protect immigrant communities during Trump’s attack on our democracy. 100%
of your donation will go to support their work.

Thank you for being with us!

–Irene, along with Annie, Angela, Isidra, Cecilia, Jen, and Lindsay (the
Courage team)

Footnotes:
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Courage California (formerly Courage Campaign) makes sure our democracy works for ALL of us by fighting corruption in California politics. We believe the solution lies in exposing and solving systemic problems through strategic organizing, enhancing coordination between progressive organizations, and mobilizing civic engagement from our communities, particularly voters of color, young voters, and self-identified progressives.

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