A Message to Our Community
It is with heavy hearts that we share our difficult decision to postpone this year’s pilgrimage to the Kern County ICE detention facilities. This annual pilgrimage is a co-production with our partner organizations in the Dignity Not Detention Coalition. And after much consultation with them, particularly local Kern-based organizations and legal partners, it became clear that during this statewide, 45-day surge of ICE enforcement in California in the weeks leading up to the election, the safety of our neighbors and participants must come first. We are heeding the call of local attorneys and community leaders, who are on high alert responding and preparing families through rapid response networks. We are seeing the uptick of ICE arrests around the state and want to encourage people to focus time and resources to support those affected locally. The last time we cancelled the pilgrimage was in 2020 during COVID-19, and this is another statewide and national crisis.
We are so grateful for all the time, music, art, and planning everyone has poured into this and we know many of you were looking forward to this as much as we were, and may feel the same frustration, disappointment, and loss.
We are so grateful to all the organizers and planners who spent so much time developing a wonderful program; as well as to more than 100 participantswho were ready to serve local communities in Kern County and those inside detention.
We know that this increase in arrests will continue to fill the ICE detention centers and we want to continue our focus, support and public pressure in service of the more than 6,000 people held in ICE detention across California.
Please read below how you can redirect to take collective action and learn more about detention centers in California as well as support to communities impacted by ICE presence.
How You Can Keep Building Beloved Community for those in ICE Detention in Kern County and in California:
We won’t let the walls separate us from those in ICE Detention in California.
Donate Commissary for People detained to get food & phone calls they need to survive, especially those without family who can support them. Help be their community! KWESI: Supporting commissary deposits to all people within the Kern County detention centers. Kwesi will be prioritizing commissary donations to WOMXN in detention in California City. Donate any amount you are able to of $25, $50 or more. Learn more about KWESI here.
2 . Write to Those in Detention. Host a letter-writing event to those in detention, especially before the holidays. You will receive a toolkit and a volunteer will guide you on the next steps. To get involved or for more information, contact: lettersofhope@im4humanintegrity.org.
3. Learn More: Save the Date for Our Webinar, “Demystifying Detention in California and What You Can Do” on November 10th at 6:30 pm – 8:00pm
We will be doing a virtual webinar about detention centers in Kern County, premiering the pilgrimage film and sharing about actions you can take. More details coming soon.
4. Sign the HugsBeyond Bars petition – HUGS BEYOND BARS: People in ICE detention at California City are not allowed to hug or hold their loved ones; not even when they visit. Learn about the campaign to allow contact visits at Cal City and how to take action at www.hugsbeyondbars.organd follow us on Instagram: @hugsbeyondbars Contact alex@ccijustice.orgto get involved.
5. Stay tuned for more information about how you can organize your group do a Visitation trip and help provide transportation for families who would like to visit their loved ones. If you would like to receive the Visitation toolkit, please contact pilgrimage@im4humanintegrity.org.
6. Thank you to all those who have helped gather mutual aid items for communities in Kern County and San Joaquin County this past week! We will continue to do this so please stay tuned for the next collection times and drop-off information.
7. Thank you to CIYJA for supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and youth during the ICE raids in the Central Valley, while organizing for pet food to go to California City animals. Learn more about their pet support here.
We did have a beautiful new T-shirt designed! If you would still like to buy a T-shirt please do so by attending the IM4HI’s 4th annual “Love Over Fear” concert on Nov. 19th at 6PM, find more info here.
Finally, we urge everyone to remain hopeful and get more organized. There are many actions we can take to create safety and belonging for all to help us Become the Beloved Community that we know is possible!