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Hello John,
This moment did not arrive quietly—and it did not arrive by accident.
John Lewis reminded us, “We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.” As we enter 2026, that truth has never felt more urgent.
Across the country, decisions are being made right now that will shape our democracy and young people’s lives for generations. Communities are being targeted. Families are living in fear. Systems meant to protect are being abused to punish and silence our communities.
But we refuse to accept this as inevitable
We know no human being is illegal—we know that borders do not define community, families deserve safety and dignity, and organized communities, rooted in care and solidarity, will always be stronger than cruelty.
This moment is not a time to retreat—it’s a call to rise. To organize with intention. To protect one another fiercely. To act with clarity and conviction.
What We Are Seeing
State-sanctioned violence is being carried out under the guise of public safety. ICE operations continue to escalate, with agents racially profiling and detaining people without cause. In Minnesota alone, two American citizens were fatally shot by ICE agents during enforcement operations. These are not isolated incidents. Across the country, ICE operations have increasingly involved the use of lethal force, resulting in serious injuries and death, underscoring a pattern of excessive force that extends beyond the handful of cases most Americans have heard about.
Plus, despite recordings and eyewitness accounts, federal leaders are asking the public to reject what we can plainly see and hear. Disinformation, true to its definition of being deliberate, is being used to manufacture fear, consolidate power, and justify further harm. This cycle is deliberate and dangerous.
[[link removed]] Young People Are Already Rising
This is exactly why the Alliance for Youth Action and our Network are here. We’re building durable, youth-led civic infrastructure designed to last beyond any single election or media cycle. Our Affiliates serve as trusted local hubs: offering safety, organizing power, and long-term stability when communities are under attack.
Since the start of the year, young people across our Network have stepped forward:
* Georgia Youth Justice Coalition (GA) * Organizers are demanding NO ICE in their neighborhoods [[link removed]] , mobilizing protests, engaging the press, and sharing vital resources to help impacted community members.


* Loud Light (KS) * Alongside other community organizers, Loud Light will host an Immigrant Action Day at the Capitol on February 2 [[link removed]] during the ongoing legislative session, bringing Kansans together to learn, organize, and demand commitments to public safety and opposition to anti-immigrant legislation from lawmakers.


* North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NC) * NCAAT hosted a Know Your Rights Town Hall, [[link removed]] continuing critical education efforts after ICE first targeted their communities last year. Legal experts and community advocates trained participants on their rights, safe response protocols, and how to protect one another.


* Next Up Oregon (OR) * Organizers are mobilizing young people to take advantage of the legislative session [[link removed]] to speak directly to legislators about ICE enforcement and how public funds are being used to perpetuate and encourage harm.


* Ohio Student Association (OH) * OSA chapters across the state ( Kent State [[link removed]] , Ohio State [[link removed]] , Ohio Univeristy [[link removed]] ) are organizing walkouts and protests following ICE presence at university job fairs and the arrest of student protesters. Among their demands is: emergency alerts when ICE appears on campus, protections for student data, and clear limits on ICE access to university spaces.


* Poder in Action (AZ) * Poder is helping their community stay safe and connected through their Unidos program [[link removed]] , which brings people together to defend their neighborhoods against police violence and ICE. Unidos builds power through political education, organizing, direct action, mutual aid, and spaces for joy and connection. Their first orientation is this Thursday at 6 PM. [[link removed]]


* Washington Bus (WA) * Organizer Bailey Medilo testified in support of SB 5906 [[link removed]] , legislation that strengthens protections for schools and campuses while expanding education on young people’s rights and how young people can protect themselves and their peers. This February, they’ll also be co-hosting a Youth Resistance Training [[link removed]] to equip their communities with the resistance skills to protect themselves effectively and safely.


The Path Forward
The resistance happening now is laying the foundation for a more just, resilient, and humane democracy—one where leadership is defined by courage and care for one another, not fear and hatred. We are proving that our communities are powerful, prepared, and unwilling to back down in the face of authoritarianism.
As OSA Columbus organizers so powerfully put it:
“When our classmates are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!”
We may not have chosen this time, but it has chosen us. And we will meet it together.
In solidarity,
Selasi Tagbor Morales
Communications Manager
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Learn about The Network! [[link removed]]

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