ELEVATE YOURSELF

Started the day with a 6AM wake-up call followed by a 2-hour drive to Laurel, Mississippi. There, I spoke to more families impacted by the raids and helped them identify potential immigration relief. The efforts in Mississippi are huge! At this point in time we have made contact with approximately 350 of the 680 people who were/are detained. There are so many organizations, churches, unions, and random volunteers like myself being put to work.

As many of you know, I like to get people of out detention, so after getting a feel for the evolving infrastructure and identifying a cozy spot for me to fit myself into, I emailed a couple of people in leadership this morning and mentioned my desire to go ahead and start getting the ball rolling with preparing bond motions. Considering my experience, language skills, and desire, I was instructed to do the following: ELEVATE YOURSELF. So, I did.

I had been instructed to first go to Laurel, then Carthage, and then Forrest. At our Forrest organizing location, I sat down in the warm Mississippi sun, took out my handy laptop and began to call the families of the detained. I explained that I am an immigration attorney, that I needed them to help me gather documents, because it's time to try to bond their family members out of immigration detention. Today was a gigantic step towards the goal I am here to accomplish and I appreciate the trust of the organizers to allow me to run with what I'm good at.

Our debriefing meeting was FIRE. We are beginning to find our ebb and flow and slowly but surely we are learning to harmonize our voices and talents. It's not easy to come into a tight-knit community and pour out enthusiasm and passion and make it look organized and efficient. We recognize that we are outsiders and reminded each other to humble ourselves and not lose sight of why we are here.

We learned of a man who was picked up in the ICE raid, detained, and subsequently released with an ankle bracelet. He went straight back to the plant that had been raided and asked if he could continue working there. They told him he could work 2-3 hours during the night shift, and that he would be paid cash. Considering the plants are among the largest employers in this part of MS, the man obliged because he has no other option. He is the breadwinner of the family- 2 to 3 hours of work per night.

I've gotten several inquiries about donations of various kinds. We will take non-perishables, toiletries, and school supplies. Please include a note indicating that your donation is in support of the families affected by the ICE raids, and mail your donations to the following address:

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
238 E Center Street
Canton, MS39046

In terms of what my immediate plans are, the donations I have received will allow me the flexibility to stay and continue working for longer than I had originally planned :D I will send out a poll to my donors later this week, so we can decide as a group where the money will go.

Thank you again for your generous support, and please continue sharing my link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/alexis-ice-raid-defense-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3ECBn2lMhu8-xwNKcmWvWnEtfr_kkv2uFooY0AOSbBttDqDestgtxmSZE

#insolidarity