Fwd: Bart, here's an update about detained immigrants in AZ and how you can help

[Naja McKenzie]

Hello Social Justice committee.

I am forwarding this information and request from Bart who received it from No More Deaths.

I would like to propose we send NMD a donation. Should we have a zoom meeting about it? 

Please, let me know your thoughts on this.

Naja

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bart Smith <ba...@stmarksaz.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Subject: Fwd: Bart, here's an update about detained immigrants in AZ and how you can help
To: Naja McKenzie <naj...@gmail.com>

Hi, Naja,

Hope this week is treating you kindly. 

Do you think your committee would consider a donation to the NMD Bond Fund? According to the last statement of activities, the year-to-date expenditures of the committee's budget is $932/$2,500. 

Bart

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: No More Deaths/ No Más Muertes <fundr...@nomoredeaths.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 2:01 AM
Subject: Bart, here's an update about detained immigrants in AZ and how you can help
To: <ba...@stmarksaz.org>

Dear Bart, As COVID-19 continues to ravage our country, immigrants in detention are faced with extremely dangerous and deadly conditions in ICE jails across the country, and particularly in Arizona.  As of today, 3,657 of ICE detainees nationally have tested positive for COVID or 22% of those tested.  In Arizona ICE prisons alone, there have been 417 confirmed cases. At the Eloy, AZ detention center, almost half of the staff have tested positive and a guard recently died of COVID.   This week we have bond hearings scheduled for three of our clients in ICE detention.  We are looking for your help today to raise the funds for these bonds by donating to our Emergency COVID-19 Bond Fund.   The treatment of detainees during this pandemic is typical of the abuse and negligence with which ICE treats detainees on a regular basis.  Arizona detention centers are notorious for their abusive practices towards detained migrants, lack of access to proper hygiene, and cramped quarters. Rather than treat people with compassion and aid during a pandemic, they are responding with abuse, neglect, and cruelty.    No More Deaths' legal team recently interviewed some of our clients at the La Palma and Eloy detention centers in Arizona.  Here are a few of their comments on current conditions:   "We were given two disposable masks in March or April and two cloth masks in May. I am not sure if it is washable. No one told us. About half of the people in my pod wear their mask."   "We have not received much information about COVID-19. We do have meetings in our pod, but they are only done in English. I do not speak English. Another person detained with me tells me what was said after. When we ask questions about COVID-19, the managers and guards will not answer our questions. We have not been allowed to talk to a doctor or the medical staff about COVID-19."   "I am afraid and very scared for what will happen to me. I have atrial fibrillation. The doctor told me that I am at a great risk and that I need to see a specialist. However, the doctor told me that she cannot make that happen.  I asked to be tested for COVID-19 and I never was. I am scared because I clean the entrances to the quarantine pods daily."   "We have been on quarantine for 17 days. I am able to leave my cell for twenty minutes each day. I can rarely bathe. I was not given food three separate times. When we are given food, it is boxed. Our food is brought to our cells and it is not enough. We all have to buy extra food."   As conditions rapidly deteriorate within the immigration detention system, our legal team is diligently trying to bond our clients out or get them released on humanitarian parole.  Since March, we have managed to bond out 14 of our clients and we were able to get 4 released through humanitarian parole.    We're relieved to have been able to secure the release of these individuals, but we're now running out of funds to pay bonds, and we have hearings scheduled for three individuals this week. Bonds average between $5,000-$10,000 per client and some are much higher. Funds raised for our No More Deaths Emergency COVID-19 Bond Fund will go directly and solely to bond out our clients, who are waiting - in a deadly situation - unjustly held, to litigate their relief from deportation and be reunited with their families in the U.S.   If you've been thinking of making a gift or could make an additional one to the bond fund, we'd so appreciate it now. You can go here to give.   Thank you again for being with us and those in acute distress and danger at this time.   With gratitude, The No More Deaths/ No Más Muertes community     P.S. If you can’t donate, please help us spread the word on social media and with your community.   Give Here No More Deaths P.O. Box 40782 Tucson, AZ 85717 Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser Unsubscribe

[Vanessa Quinn]

I would vote yes. How much can SJ give?  Vanessa

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[Caroline Rondeau]

I vote yes as well.

Caroline

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[Sylvia Thorson-Smith]

I’m very much in favor of this donation also.  Is there a suggested amount?

Sylvia

On Jul 25, 2020, at 3:54 PM, Caroline Rondeau <caroliner...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Naja McKenzie]

What do you all think about donating $800? If you think more, let me know.

Blessings on you all. If you have not looked at this proposed donation, please, do so and submit your feedback and vote.

Thank you.

Naja

[Patricia Turnbull]

I vote yes to $800.

Pat

On Jul 25, 2020, at 5:32 PM, Sylvia Thorson-Smith <sylv...@cox.net> wrote:



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[Irvin Richards]

$800 would be very generous. Please remember that the annual donation to PCI needs to come from these funds. $2,500 - $932 - $800 = $768 

I believe the commitment to PCI is $1,000. Grist for the mill.

Irvin

On Jul 25, 2020, at 6:54 PM, Naja McKenzie <naj...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Sylvia Thorson-Smith]

Do we have other commitments, and is $2500 what we have for the rest of the year?

Sylvia

On Jul 25, 2020, at 9:01 PM, Irvin Richards <ilri...@gmail.com> wrote:

$800 would be very generous. Please remember that the annual donation to PCI needs to come from these funds. $2,500 - $932 - $800 = $768 

[Naja McKenzie]

I think I misunderstood Bart's summary. $800 is probably too much.

How about $500?

Naja

[Sylvia Thorson-Smith]

Fine with me.

Sylvia

On Jul 25, 2020, at 10:42 PM, Naja McKenzie <Naj...@gmail.com> wrote:



[Rachael Eggebeen]

$500 = yes vote for me

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[Patricia Turnbull]

Yes.

On Jul 25, 2020, at 10:42 PM, Naja McKenzie <Naj...@gmail.com> wrote:



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