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Dear Allies,
Last night we witnessed history as, for the first time in Minnesota, a white officer was convicted of murder for the death of George Floyd. While the jury's decision doesn’t undo generations of systematic brutality, stop ongoing and future acts of police violence against Black communities, or bring George Floyd back, we hope his family finds peace in this verdict.
This was an individual act of accountability; the work for collective justice and transformative change continues.
George Floyd wasn’t just a victim of one officer, but of a centuries-old system of enforcement built upon white supremacy and violence against Black people. The systemic and structural racism that is inherent in the U.S. criminal enforcement system extends into the immigration enforcement system. Black people are much more likely to be arrested, convicted and imprisoned than others, and we know Black immigrants are much more likely than other immigrants to be detained and deported due to a criminal conviction. Immigrant justice is racial justice, and the fight for justice is forever.
PIF's commitment to racial justice is unwavering, and our fight against structures of oppression continues. We remain committed to a vision of a nation where all are truly equal, immigration is recognized as a strength, and no one in America is denied the essentials of life because of where they were born or the color of their skin.
For those who will take to the streets to mourn the loss of others at the hands of police like Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, and Ma’Khia Bryant, who was killed in Columbus just last night, and to continue demanding justice and accountability in the face of ongoing violence against our communities, we’re sharing several know your rights materials to help you protest safely and smartly:
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Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Participation in Protests (NILC): NILC’s guide to participating in protests, provides immigrants and their allies with accurate information so that immigrants can know their rights, understand the possible risks of participating in protests, and feel empowered to participate meaningfully, safely, and fully in our democracy. (Also available in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, & Vietnamese)
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For UndocuLeaders Participating in Protest (United We Dream): Even if the media claims immigration agencies won’t be making arrests, immigration enforcement officers have been deployed to demonstrations. We know that ANY interactions with any law enforcement agency can lead to detention/deportation. It is imperative that, if you attend, you show up with a plan and be grounded in solidarity.
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Immigrant Marches / Marchas de los Inmigrantes (ACLU): These ACLU publications provide guidance in several languages for many situations. The brochures apprise you of your legal rights, recommend how to preserve those rights, and provide guidance on how to interact with officials.
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