Grassroots Organizations Unite to Free Community Member from ICE

February 18, 2020

For Immediate Release

Richmond - Statewide grassroots organizations and activists are putting aside differences to liberate a future Virginian from ICE custody and reunite him with his family.

After escaping persecution based on his sexuality in his home country in Africa, our friend fled to Mexico and crossed the US border.

His bond has been set at an outrageous - but not uncommon - $25,000.

The family waiting for him here in Virginia has raised $9,000 toward his bond.

This diverse coalition is working together to raise the remaining $16,000 needed for his release.

During Black History Month it is especially important to recognize that forced migration is a Black issue and that the criminal ‘justice’ system as immigration agencies meet at the intersections of capitalism and white supremacy.

Throughout much of the world, including the African continent, the Christian church embarked on a violent campaign of colonization and domination that subjected native folks to systemic oppression built on white/Christian supremacy. Violence from Christian colonizers manifests today in state violence and criminalization of the LGBTQ+ community globally among other horrors.

Freeing our friend chips away at these systems of oppression. Doing so together as a diverse coalition sends a message to our friend, our communities, and the world about our willingness and ability to keep each other safe and fight for collective liberation across different identities.

We are bond funds,social justice organizations, grassroots organizers, workers of all kinds, Muslims, Jews, christians and people that aren’t religious at all. Some of us are rich and a lot of us are poor, Native, Black, Brown and white. Moderates and radicals and so much more.
We all work toward liberation and We are united to free our friend.

“During Black History Month, we have been entrusted with the liberation of a LGBTQ Friend from Africa. It is imperative to bring this person out of shackles to Virginia where his family and new community await him. In the words of SONG’s founder Pat Hussain “Money kept them in, Black Love got them out” in that spirit we must answer that call and give generously toward our Friend’s liberation now.”

Justin Young (member of SONG and Pride FXBG)

"Audre Lorde once said “There is no thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” Because there are no single issue struggles; we must unite in multi-racial, multi-religious, multi human coalition in order to destroy the systems that oppress us all. Our love for one another must be greater than the forces that seperate us. Together is the only way forward." Q whom sits on the board of SANTOS en Virginia explained, see their video and learn more about the campaign below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MYCPpOZFL4

https://www.gofundme.com/f/tosetthecaptivesfree