Hello, Labor Force community! Please read on for a message from Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, President of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation:
I’m the president of Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, and my city is under occupation by the federal government.
During this crisis, our community has pulled together, blowing whistles, following ICE vehicles, and doing everything we can to protect our neighbors from being kidnapped and detained by ICE and border patrol.
Today, the rent is due. And that’s a problem for our neighbors.
Imagine this happening to you:
One of our members was detained by ICE in the parking lot of their workplace, where they were swept away to a facility in Texas. After two weeks in detention under astonishing conditions, being pressured to sign “voluntary” deportation orders, the worker was finally granted habeas and was released.
Two other children in the household also work at the workplace where the detainment took place. It is not safe to return to work―so they have had no income for weeks. They are thankful to be reunited, but afraid that eviction is around the corner. There are more stories like this than you can believe. These are the families we are supporting with rent.
One thing I’ve learned in this process is that it’s difficult to pay someone else’s rent. Not any organization can do it. But we can. Our navigators help renters get in touch with leasing companies and landlords, and keep people in their homes.
We’ve called for an eviction pause during this emergency, but the government moves slowly and the crisis is now.
If we don’t hit our goals:
Landlords will begin eviction proceedings, potentially bringing law enforcement to the people who have successfully avoided ICE during the occupation.
We will keep fighting for our neighbors until ICE drags them to a country where we can’t reach them. But the fastest, most effective protection we can give is if we can just pay their rent today.
The labor movement is built on solidarity. When people stand together, we are more powerful than any other force. Thank you to The Labor Force for standing with us.
In solidarity,
Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou
President, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation