NMILC Stands With Black Lives Matter
Dear Supporter,
Last week, millions of people joined in ongoing protests to demand racial justice. NMILC stands in full support of Black Lives Matter.
We know that police brutality disproportionately impacts the Black community. These systems are rooted in ideas of white supremacy that span to the very origins of our country; and today are used by institutions at every level to suppress and marginalize Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. Black and African members of the immigrant community are deported at higher rates and their stories are often erased from the immigration narrative. Our organization recognizes that we have not prioritized the needs of the Black and African immigrant community and we are working to address this.
We have seen racism and xenophobia lead to the militarization of our borders, militarization of civil law enforcement agencies (CBP and ICE), and the criminalization of the immigrant community. Racial justice and immigration justice are intertwined and that is why when we call to #AbolishICE and #AbolishCBP, we also call to #DefendBlackLife and #DefundthePolice.
We are committed to doing our part to amplify Black-led organizations, share resources, enhance collective learning, include the Black narrative in the immigrant rights movement, increase our outreach to Black and African immigrants, and address anti-Blackness in the immigrant rights movement.
In support of the Movement for Black Lives and Black Lives Matter, we are encouraging our supporters to act and show solidarity to Black communities in the following ways:
Make your support visible, say you will #DefendBlackLife and that #BlackLivesMatter on social media
Educate:
Learn about alternatives to calling the police by reading Stop Calling the Police: A Guide for the 505.
Heading to a protest? Check out this Know Your Rights resource that is tailored for immigrants.
Check out this list and this list and this list of books, podcasts, and films to understand and learn how to dismantle racism.
Support:
Support and donate to Immigrant and Refugee Resource Village of Albuquerque, a local organization which assists refugees and immigrants from Africa.
Support and donate to Vizionz-Sankofa, another local organization which assists Black youth and young adults with linguistic and socio-cultural challenges.
Donate to a bail fund: Twitter users are crowdsourcing lists of local organizations that help bail out protesters. Thread here.
Donate and support these Black-led LGBTQ community organizations.
Support these Black-owned Albuquerque businesses.
Support the UndocuBlack Network, which is a network of currently and formerly undocumented Black people that fosters community and resources. Donate here.
Donate to Black Lives Matter here.
Support groups and campaigns such as the National Police Accountability Project and Campaign Zero.
NMILC is committed to the fight for justice and to the broader struggle against racialized oppression. In these extremely difficult times, it’s important for all of us to take the time to listen, reflect and find ways to act in solidarity with each other.
Adelante,
The NMILC Team
