An invitation to allies and accomplices to show up for the May 1st march in Grand Rapids organized by Movimiento Cosecha

In recent months all across the US we have seen a growing movement of people demanding that ICE be abolished! We have all seen the videos and we all know how brutal ICE is, which is exactly why the immigrant justice movement is calling for the abolition of ICE.

In Grand Rapids, the immigrant-led group Movimiento Cosecha is inviting people to join them in three days of protest, three days of striking and three days to demand dignity, respect and permanent protect for the millions of undocumented immigrants living in the US.

Movimiento Cosecha is inviting people to join their annual May Day march. In In 2018 and 2019, there were thousands of people who joined their marches and when those kinds of numbers show up it makes it safer for immigrants to participate. Unfortunately, last year’s May Day march saw about 150 people showing up to support immigrants.

It is imperative that allies, especially white allies, show up on May 1st this year in large numbers to support the demands of the immigrant communities, Movimiento Cosecha and those being targeted by ICE.

We just saw thousands of people show up for the No Kings rally in Grand Rapids, so it would be fabulous if people showed up to the May Day march. It is vitally important that those of us who call ourselves allies show up now and not wait for Grand Rapids to become another Minneapolis. Immigrants in this community are being arrested, detained and deported and have been since 2003, when ICE was created.

Let’s practice some real solidarity by showing up on May Day and march with Movimiento Cosecha. Let’s also remember this is a three day strike, so besides marching we are not going to work, not sending our kids to school and no spending money.

You can however show up to the May Day march with donations to support the work of Movimiento Cosecha and to contribute to the GR Rapid Response to ICE Mutual Aid work, which supports immigrant families who have been directly impacted by ICE. One hundred perfect of the funds that GR Rapid Response to ICE raises goes directly to immigrants who have experienced family separation at the hands of ICE.

Also, if you are not already involved in the work of Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE, here is a list of things you can do right now to practice immigrant justice and resist ICE:

1. You can follow the work of Movimiento Cosecha https://www.facebook.com/cosechagr and GR Rapid Response to ICE https://www.facebook.com/RapidResponseGR/
2. You can share our What to do if ICE comes to your door cards.
3. If you suspect that you are seeing an ICE presence somewhere, call our hotline 616-238-0081 and document what you can. Use the Salute card, but don’t post on social media as it can create more fear and panic for immigrant communities.
4. If you know an immigrant that has an appointment to check in with ICE or immigration court cases you can have them call the hotline 616-238-0081 and have them request someone to accompany them to their appointments.
5. You can support immigrant families that have been affected by ICE violence in Kent County by sharing and contributing funds through the Mutual Aid requests on the GR Rapid Response to ICE Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RapidResponseGR/
6. You can organize a fundraising event like a house party or get 10 of your friends to contribute to a specific Mutual Aid request that can be found on the GR Rapid Response to ICE Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RapidResponseGR/
7. If you know of immigrant community groups that are living in fear of ICE, Cosecha will offer to do a Know Your Rights training, which provides tips on how to keep yourself, your family and your community safe from ICE. Send an Email to movimientocosechagr@gmail.com.
8. You can begin a conversation with leaders in your faith community and local non-profits about offering sanctuary to members of the affected community. If there is an interest members of Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE can meet with you or you can attend one of our regular Community Sanctuary sessions.
9. You can sign up to take the GR Rapid Response to ICE training to learn skills and be part of our daily work.
10. You can encourage your church to host a GR Rapid Response to ICE training. If there is an interest they can send an Email to info@grrapidresponsetoice.org.
11. You can host an educational session on the History of US Immigration Policy. Just send an Email to info@grrapidresponsetoice.org.
12. You can support the 6 sanctuary policies campaign that Cosecha and GR Rapids Response to ICE are trying to get the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County to adopt.