It is with a critical mindset that we receive the news of Biden becoming president of the United States. His victory is the result of organizers, artists, and people who, despite countless acts of voter suppression, fought to ensure we would no longer have a Trump Administration. As an undocumented-led collective in the city of Chicago, we will take a moment to breathe and cherish this moment as we prepare to continue the ongoing radical grassroots organizing happening throughout the city.
Trump is on his way out of office. However, we know that the same racist and inhumane structures of this capitalist empire are still up and running. This moment is a reminder for us to not fall in the illusion of a more humane system but instead continue to use our radical imagination to create new realities and dismantle these harmful structures once and for all.
These past four years we have felt the extreme harm that can be done to our communities by someone in power who’s only there to carry out a white supremacist agenda. We have felt how the government of this nation is built to uphold white supremacy, it’s built to elect fascists like Trump, and it’s built in a way that allows a few people to have control over the lives and futures of millions of people. But just as repressive policies and state violence have continued to rise, so is the resistance of the people continuing to increase. The government’s negligent response to the pandemic, has mobilized people to strengthen mutual support networks, which have reminded us that WE ARE WHAT WE NEED. We can thrive as a community when we organize and trust our radical imagination and hearts.
Biden in office does not mean more safety for us, and we are not going to let our guards down. There’s a lot of harm that needs to be repaired, and a lot more structures that need to be dismantled. Our loved ones are still locked up, they are still being deported, they are still being murdered, and we know this is not the time to lower the pressure but rather to level up and improve our tactics. We will continue to be in solidarity with the Black Liberation Movement, demanding the to defund and abolish the police. We will also continue to call for the abolition of ICE, CBP, and prisons. Because we believe in our people, collectively healing and collectively creating new realities.
In solidarity,
OCAD
Freedom or Prison Zine
This zine was created by the people closest to the issue – directly impacted communities and grassroots community organizers.
Practices for Our Heart, Body, and Soul
In this zine, you will find some practices for anxiety and some recipes for delicious teas for when your body and heart don't feel well.
ICE’s Ability to Detain Immigrants Through Mass Raids and Traffic Stops Would Be Significantly Limited Under Preliminarily Approved Court Settlement
Biden and Mayorkas Usher in…. A Continuation of Nationalism, White Supremacy, Xenophobia, and Black and brown Policing
Our Response to the 100 days interim DHS moratorium memo on deportations
Read Our Response to the DHS moratorium memo on deportations and who is excluded- no one is disposable!
We are hiring a digital organizer!
Want to join the OCAD team? We are currently looking for a Digital Organizer to join our team
Supreme Court Rules DACA Program Can Continue, Yet Some DACA Recipients Have Already Been Deported
For us at OCAD this moment is a reminder that the struggle for dignity and justice is far from over.
Chicago COVID-19 FOIA Project with Just Futures Law
We joined Just Futures Law in the #COVID19Project to find out more about how our data is being collected and shared across private companies and city agencies.
COVID19 Support for Undocumented Families
There are 11 million undocumented immigrants who aren’t eligible for a stimulus check. Please see how you can support below
Taller de Criminalización
Este taller de criminalización es un recurso preparado por Comunidades Organizadas contra las Deportaciones (OCAD) y el Centro para la Nueva Comunidad (CNC). La clave para luchar contra el sentimiento anti-inmigrante es comprender que no se trata de delincuencia, sino de la criminalización.
Erase the Chicago Gang Database
We advocate for the elimination of the use of detention centers and deportations, surveillance mechanisms, and “reforms” that exclude the most criminalized amongst us. One way we are doing this is by advocating for the elimination of the City of Chicago’s gang database.
Mohammed's Victory
Mohamed is a Palestinian undocumented immigrant who was flagged by the FBI for having “terrorist affiliations”. Mohamed was in a detention center for over a year and couldn’t be deported because he was considered “stateless” given his Palestinian nationality.
Genoveva's Victory
Genoveva’s case is one of OCAD’s first victories. OCAD supported her in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (something that takes a lot of courage). As a result, Genoveva got her U visa approved, is with her family and continues to fight for others.
Wilmer's Victory
Wilmer Catalan had been residing in the US for over 10 years and, in March of 2017, ICE agents unlawfully entered his home without a criminal warrant or consent. ICE had conducted a raid based on false information obtained from the Chicago Police Department indicating Wilmer belonged to a street gang.
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