Dear friends,

As many of you read last week, our community in Immokalee has suffered a shocking and unnecessary loss of life at the hands of the Collier County Sheriff's Office. Nicolas Morales Besanilla, a longtime Immokalee farmworker and single father, was shot and killed by a Collier County Deputy on Thursday, September 17th. You can read the full story here.

We are working closely with Nicolas's family to seek justice, both for the family and for our community, and we are also finding ways to support the family's immediate needs, particularly those of Nicolas's son, in this difficult time.

Many of you have generously reached out to send your condolences, heartbreak, and offers of support. There will certainly be more details and ways to support the call for justice for Nicolas in the weeks ahead. For now, we wanted to pass along a GoFundMe page that Nicolas's family has set up for those who wish to offer their support, in case you would like to donate.

Here below is the message from Nicolas's family:

Nicolás Morales Besanilla de la comunidad de Solluco, Mexico

El 17 de septiembre, Nicolás fue asesinado por un policía del Sheriff del Condado de Collier. Deja su niño solo, después de la muerte de la mama del hijo hace cinco años. Como su familia, queremos mandar Nicolás a México para que descansa en paz en nuestro pueblo de Solluco, y queremos apoyar a su niño. Si nos pueden apoyar con lo que sea de su propia voluntad, lo agradecemos. De antemano, mil gracias. Que Dios los bendiga y gracias por su apoyo.

Nicolás Morales Besanilla of the community of Solluco, Mexico

On September 17th, Nicolás was killed by a deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Department. He leaves behind a son after the death of his girlfriend, the son’s mother, five years ago. As his family, we want to send Nicolás to Mexico to rest in peace in our home of Solluco, and we want to support his son. If you can help with anything in your ability, we would be grateful. Many thanks, in advance. May God bless you and thank you for your support.
Coalition of Immokalee Workers