From Moms Rising (https://www.momsrising.org/):
During this time of great uncertainty and stress, we take comfort in knowing that we can help our children feel safe and secure. They reach out to me when they are feeling anxious or afraid of the coronavirus and the many disruptions to their lives caused by this pandemic. Not only are we able to help them cope with their distress, but we also have the capacity to keep them safe from the virus through social distancing, handwashing, and other measures.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of children who have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in crowded detention facilities right now who do not have a loved one to turn to for comfort or who are with a parent, but incarcerated. [1] It does not have to be this way!
You (and your kids) have the power to make a difference from your home today!
Join us at https://www.momsrising.org/blog/make-a-butterfly-to-free-migrant-children-and-families-from-detention to create a simple butterfly and send the image to key decision makers along with the demand to immediately release children and their families from detention. Kid creativity is welcome!
(It’s easy. Taking a moment to do this quick project right now will make a big difference — and when you click any of the links in this email, we’ll walk you through every step of the way. You’ll be done in a flash, but make a lasting impact).
We can make a difference together. The good news is that the vast majority of child migrants have family members or community sponsors who are waiting to care for them. [2] Especially now that the coronavirus is threatening the lives of people who are incarcerated, it is way past time for children to be released from detention into the homes of their family members or community sponsors!
No matter what we look like, where we live, or what’s in our wallets, getting sick reminds us that at our core we’re all just human. As parents, we know that families belong together.
Click any of the links in this email to join MomsRising / MamásConPoder members from all across the country, along with our partners at Families Belong Together, The Butterfly Effect, and the Women’s Refugee Commission. Together, we can make a big difference! With a few simple, creative steps, you and your family can take action and then share the instructions with others.
NEXT, share the instructions on email lists and online communities at libraries, community centers, faith-based organization, schools, and more.
Click here to share the instructions on Facebook right now!
And here is a direct link to the instructions that you can copy and paste to share with your social networks and in e-mails:
This is an easy and powerful way for kids and adults to use their voices and creativity to help others in this difficult time. Here are some of the ways you can be a part of this powerful project:
GET READY! Find some art supplies (markers, crayons, or whatever is around and handy) and set up an art area for you and those in your household.
MAKE a butterfly. Butterflies represent that migration is beautiful. Use your creativity! See here for ideas on making butterflies, or for an even easier option, here’s a coloring page you can print out at home.
TAKE a picture of your kids holding their butterflies (including just kids’ hands and no faces is best to protect their privacy or just take a photo of the butterfly).
WRITE a Tweet and Instagram post with one of the following messages. Or make up your own! (You can Tweet any — or all — of the below even if you haven’t made a butterfly
- Now more than ever, children should be with the people who love them, not in detention! Release them NOW @ICEgov @cbp @whitehouse @ACFHHS via @MomsRising and @EffectMigration #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectmigration #COVID19 – Click to Tweet
- Kids standing up for immigrant kids and families in detention — Release them now! @ICEgov @cbp @whitehouse @ACFHHS via @MomsRising and @EffectMigration #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectmigration #COVID19 –
Click to Tweet - Hi @ICEgov @cbp @whitehouse @ACFHHS! Now more than ever, children should be with the people who love them. Release them now! via @MomsRising and @EffectMigration #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectmigration #COVID19 – Click to Tweet
- Back us up! We’re joining @MomsRising and @EffectMigration to ask @ICEgov, @CBP, @WhiteHouse and @ACFHHS to release immigrant kids and families in detention NOW! #familiesbelongtogether #safeandtogether #butterflyeffectimmigration #COVID19 – Click to Tweet
TAG your message
- #familiesbelongtogether
- #safeandtogether
- #butterflyeffectmigration
- #COVID19
TAG the ORR, ICE, CBP and White House
- @ICEgov
- @cbp
- @whitehouse
- @ACFHHS
ATTACH your photo
POST!
Now more than ever, children should be safe and secure with the people who love them.
Please join us in making a butterfly so that other children and families can be free to be together.
And then share this action on Facebook by clicking here!
[1] Judge Urges Release of Migrant Children, New York Times [2] Office of Refugee Resettlement provided this information to the court in the Flores v. Barr case
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